Novel functionalized nanohydrogels, synthesis and some applications

Abstract

A functionalized nanohydrogels have been synthesized by two step procedure. The first step implies an inverse microemulsion polymerization of p-nitro phenol acrylate (NPA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) using Aerosol (AOT) as a surfactant and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinking agent. The polymerization reaction was performed in presence of an oil-soluble salt to reduce the dimensions of the micellar diameter. The second step includes a chemical functionalization by nucleophilic substitution reaction over the carbonyl groups. The average particle diameter and the particle size distribution of the nanohydrogels were measured in acetone at 25°C by quasielastic light scattering (QLS) showing average diameter of 22 nm. The nanogels were characterized by FTIR-ATR, 1HNMR, UV-vis spectroscopy and DSC. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.