Surface-Anchored Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Orthogonal Gradient Networks.

ABSTRACT: We present a versatile synthetic route leading toward generating surface-attached polyacrylamide gels, in which the cross-link density varies continuously and gradually across the substrate in two orthogonal directions. We employ free radical polymerization to synthesize random copolymers comprising ~5% of photoactive methacrylyloxybenzophenone (MABP), ~5% of thermally active styrene sulfonyl azide (SSAz), and ~90% of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) units. The presence of MABP and SSAz in the copolymer facilitates control over the cross-link density of the gel in an orthogonal manner using photoactivated and thermally activated cross-linking chemistries, respectively. Spectroscopic ellipsometry is employed to determine the degree of swelling of the gel in water and methanol as a func

SUBMITTER: Pandiyarajan CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5027608 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature