Preparation and studies of temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels containing functional hydroxyl groups

Triethyleneglycol monomethacrylate (TREGMA) was synthesized by two steps and characterized using IR and H-1-NMR. It then was copolymerized with N-isopropylacryl-amide (NIPAM) using N, N-methylene bisacrylamide (BA) as crosslinker through surfactant-free emulsion polymerization to prepare temperature-sensitive microgels containing functional hydroxy groups. Investigation on the deswelling behavior of the microgels indicated that the microgels prepared had good temperature sensitivity, and the incorporation of TREGMA made the volume-phase transition temperature of the microgels shifted to higher temperature. This type of microgels might be good candidate for biomedical materials.