Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels exhibit poor mechanical properties which may limit their use in a variety of biological applications. In contrast, double-network (DN) hydrogels are comprised of two highly asymmetrically crosslinked networks and are associated with enhanced mechanical properties as well as a high degree of swelling. This is particularly true if one network is highly ionized. In this study, PNIPAAm DN hydrogels were prepared with an ionizable comonomer, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS). The first, tightly crosslinked network was prepared with varying weight % ratios of NIPAAm:AMPS (100:0 � 25:75). The second, lightly crosslinked network was prepared with no AMPS comonomer. The resulting changes to morphology, hydration, deswelling/re-swelling behavior and mechanical properties were evaluated.

Ultra strong, thermoresponsive double-network hydrogels

244th National Meeting (2012)

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