Moldable high internal phase emulsion hydrogel objects from non-covalently crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanogel dispersions

Abstract

High Internal Phase Emulsion hydrogels are prepared from waterborne poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanogel dispersions which are non-covalently crosslinked through 2-ureido-4[1H] pyrimidinone (UPy) quadruple hydrogen bond groups. The reversible UPy crosslinks allow for the HIPE-hydrogels to be molded into objects which are thermo-responsive in nature.