Macromolecular Rapid Communications · 1999 · 103 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesChemistryMaterials SciencePolymer ChemistryPolymer EngineeringPolymer MaterialsPolymer PhysicsPolymer SolutionsPolymer ThermodynamicsThermoplastic PolymersThermosetsCopolymerization StrategiesCritical Solution TemperatureCritical TemperatureLower Critical Solution TemperaturePoly(lactic Acid)Thermoplastic BiopolymersThermoplastic Copolymers
N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) was copolymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-monolactate (HEMA-monolactate). With increasing HEMA-monolactate content in the copolymer, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) decreases. During incubation in an aqueous solution, the lactate groups are released by hydrolysis, by which the copolymer is converted into poly(NIPAAm-co-HEMA). By this process, the hydrophilicity of the copolymer increases, resulting in increased LCST values.