Swelling Behavior of Amino Acid Based Cross-Linked Co-Polymer Organogels and Hydrogels with pH, Thermo and Salt Responsiveness

Kumar, Anupam (2014) Swelling Behavior of Amino Acid Based Cross-Linked Co-Polymer Organogels and Hydrogels with pH, Thermo and Salt Responsiveness. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

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Abstract

In this work we have synthesized seven sets of copolymer gels of Boc-L-Val-HEMA and MEO2MA by varying feed monomer ratios via RAFT polymerization method. The organogels showed relatively good swelling capacities in organic solvents such as DCM, THF etc. and also their SRs could be varied by varying monomer ratios. These organogels were easily converted to hydrogels by a simple Boc group deprotection reaction. These hydrogels showed excellent solvent uptake properties in water. Their SRs also could be varied by varying monomer ratio. The experimental observation for the solvent uptake ratio of synthesized organogels and hydrogels is clearly substantiated from their highly porous FE-SEM micrographs, which changes with the monomer ratio. These hydrogels showed triple pH, thermo, and salt responsive behavior. Due to primary ammonium group at the end chain these hydrogels showed pH responsive behavior. The hydrogels shows maximum SR at pH 5. The LCST of MEO2MA is at 26 °C and hence these hydrogels were expected to show thermoresponsive behavior. Furthermore, these hydrogels exhibited smart swelling behaviors in NaCl, CaCl2, and AlCl3 aqueous solutions, and their swelling ratio decreased with an increase in the salt concentration on the whole. These smart hydrogels will have wide applications in the fields of agriculture, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.

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