Synthesis of poly(chitosan‐<i>N</i>‐isopropylacrylamide) complex particles with the method of soapless dispersion polymerization

Abstract

Abstract Crosslinked poly(chitosan‐ N ‐isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAAM‐chitosan)] complex particles were successfully synthesized with the method of soapless dispersion polymerization. The anionic initiator ammonium persulfate (APS) and the cationic initiator 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AIBA) were used to initiate the copolymerization. The poly(NIPAAM‐chitosan) copolymer particles synthesized with APS as the initiator had a homogeneous morphology, whereas the copolymer particles synthesized with AIBA as the initiator showed a core–shell morphology. In addition, various variables such as the particle size, reaction rate, and ζ potential were taken into account. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2053–2063, 2003