Poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) hydrogels obtained by frontal polymerization

Abstract

Frontal polymerization (FP) has been used as an alternative technique for the preparation of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) hydrogels. Samples were synthesized in bulk, water, or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and the obtained materials were characterized and compared in terms of their yield, swelling behavior, thermal properties, and morphology. It was found that their features are dependent on the presence and type of the solvent used. Samples prepared in bulk are characterized by the lowest yields and the highest front temperatures (T max ) and velocities (V f ), whereas those synthesized in water have the highest yields and the lowest values of T max and V f . No significant differences have been found in terms of T g among the three series of samples. By contrast, the reaction conditions influenced the porous morphology of the samples and, consequently, their swelling capability in water. The swelling ratio ranges from about 670-700% for some samples prepared in water up to 3500% for a sample obtained in DMSO, thus indicating that this parameter can be properly tuned by using the most suitable FP conditions.

A clustered ground‐glass hepatocyte pattern represents a new prognostic marker for the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery

“…Since then, a considerable amount of research in this field has been developed. Our group used FP to synthesize hydrogels,6–9 polymer‐based nanocomposites,10 unsaturated polyester/styrene resins,11, 12 nanocomposites containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes,13 interpenetrating polymer networks,14 diurethane acrylates,15 for the consolidation of tuff,16 and to obtain polyurethanes 17, 18. In our most recent articles, we used FP to copolymerize successfully an azo monomer with an acrylic monomer,19 to obtain stimuli‐responsive hydrogels containing partially exfoliated graphite,20 and to synthesize thermoresponsive super water absorbent hydrogels,21 hybrid inorganic/organic epoxy resins 22…”

Infrared laser‐ignited horizontal frontal polymerization of versatile unsaturated polyester resins

“…reported photo‐induced cationic ring‐opening FP of oxetanes and oxiranes, hybrid free radical/cationic frontal photopolymerizations . Mariani and coworkers synthesized unsaturated polyester resin (UPER) with descending fronts, polyurethanes, porous materials, montmorillonite polymer nanocomposites, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes, and stimuli responsive N ‐isopropyl acrylamide homopolymer . Our group has reported FP synthesis of versatile nanocrystal‐embedded hydrogels toward the sensing of heavy metal ions and organoamines, and QD‐polymer nanocomposites .…”

Preparation and optical characterization of two photoactive poly(bisphenol a ethoxylate diacrylate) copolymers containing designed amino‐nitro‐substituted azobenzene units, obtained via classical and frontal polymerization, using novel ionic liquids as initiators

“…FP was discovered in Russia by Chechilo and Enikolopyan in the 1970s,27 and their work was pushed further in 1984 28. Our group has used this technique for the consolidation of porous materials,29, 30 to synthesize interpenetrating polymer networks,31 unsaturated polyester/styrene resins,32, 33 hydrogels,34–37 polymer‐based nanocomposites,38 and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes 39. In our most recent articles, we used FP to synthesize hybrid inorganic/organic epoxy resins,40 to obtain stimuli‐responsive hydrogels containing partially exfoliated graphite,41 and to copolymerize successfully an azomonomer into two different polymer matrices 42, 43.…”