Synthesis of PNIPAM–PEG Double Hydrophilic Polymers Using Oleic Acid Macro Peroxide Initiator

Abstract

Abstract This work refers to the synthesis of a new double hydrophilic thermo‐responsive polymer using fatty acid macroperoxide initiator, N ‐isopropyl acryl amide (NIPAM) and polyethylene glycol with two primary amine ends (PEGNH2). For this purpose, oleic acid was spread out onto a petri dish and exposed to air oxygen at room temperature for 2 months. The obtained fatty acid macro‐peroxide initiator was used in the free radical polymerization of NIPAM in the presence of PEGNH2. Poly oleic acid ‐g‐ PNIPAM ‐g‐ PEG graft copolymers were successfully obtained. Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the graft copolymer was determined by using UV‐Vis spectrometry with a sensible heating unit. Morphology of the fractured surface of the double hydrophilic polymers was visualized by using SEM micrographs. Graft copolymers with LCST close to body temperature were obtained by changing PEG inclusion. Structural characterization, thermal analysis and size exclusion chromatography measurements of the obtained products were done.