Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels are mechanical weak which may limit their use in a variety of biological applications. In contrast, double-network (DN) hydrogels - comprised of two highly asymmetrically crosslinked networks - 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 (e.g. modulus and strength) were evaluated. Their utility for self-cleaning membranes and cartilage substitutes will be discussed.

High strength thermoresponsive double network hydrogels

245th National Meeting (2013)

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