The pH /temperature dually responsive microgels of interpenetrating polymer network( IPN) structure composed of poly( N-isopropylacrylamide)( PNIPAM) network and poly( acrylic acid)( PAA) network( PNIPAM /PAA IPN microgels) were synthesized by seed emulsion polymerization. The results obtained by dynamic laser light scattering( DLLS) show that the microgels have good pH /temperature dual sensitivities. The temperature sensitive component and the pH sensitive component inside the microgels have little interference with each other. The rheological properties of the concentrated PNIPAM /PAA IPN microgel dispersions as a function of temperature at pH 4. 0 or 7. 0 were investigated by viscometer,and the results displayed that only at pH 7. 0 the dispersions presented thermoreversible thickening behavior. Then the PNIPAM /PAA fibers were prepared by self-assembly of the PNIPAM /PAA IPN microgels in the ice-crystal templates formed by unidirectional liquid nitrogen freezing method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy( FESEM) images indicate that the PNIPAM /PAA fibers are rounded,randomly orientated and interweaved.
The pH /temperature dually responsive microgels of interpenetrating polymer network( IPN) structure composed of poly( N-isopropylacrylamide)( PNIPAM) network and poly( acrylic acid)( PAA) network( PNIPAM /PAA IPN microgels) were synthesized by seed emulsion polymerization. The results obtained by dynamic laser light scattering( DLLS) show that the microgels have good pH /temperature dual sensitivities. The temperature sensitive component and the pH sensitive component inside the microgels have little interference with each other. The rheological properties of the concentrated PNIPAM /PAA IPN microgel dispersions as a function of temperature at pH 4. 0 or 7. 0 were investigated by viscometer,and the results displayed that only at pH 7. 0 the dispersions presented thermoreversible thickening behavior. Then the PNIPAM /PAA fibers were prepared by self-assembly of the PNIPAM /PAA IPN microgels in the ice-crystal templates formed by unidirectional liquid nitrogen freezing method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy( FESEM) images indicate that the PNIPAM /PAA fibers are rounded,randomly orientated and interweaved.