Boron Nitride Nanosheets/PNIPAM Hydrogels with Improved Thermo-Responsive Performance.

ABSTRACT: Thermo-responsive hydrogel is an important smart material. However, its slow thermal response rate limits the scope of its applications. Boron nitride nanosheet-reinforced thermos-responsive hydrogels, which can be controlled by heating, were fabricated by in situ polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide in the presence of boron nitride nanosheets. The hydrogels exhibit excellent thermo-responsiveness and much enhanced thermal response rate than that of pure poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels. Interestingly, the hydrogels can be driven to move in aqueous solution by heating. Importantly, the composite hydrogel is hydrophilic at a temperature below lower critical solution temperature (LCST), while it is hydrophobic at a temperature above LCST. Therefore, it can be used for q

SUBMITTER: Xue S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6073573 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature