Thermosensitive poly [(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-co-(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)] cryogels prepared by a two-step polymerization method

Temperature-sensitive P(DEAEMA-co-DMAAm) cryogels with five different DMAAm contents were synthesized via a two-step polymerization method, the initial polymerization being conducted for various times at 22 degrees C, followed by polymerization at -26 degrees C for 24 h. The influence of the first-step time and the content of DMAAm on the swelling ratio and network parameters such as the polymer/solvent interaction parameter, the average molecular mass between crosslinks, and the mesh size of the cryogels were reported and discussed. The swelling studies indicated that the swelling increased in the following order: 22C45 > 22C30 > 22C15 > 22CO. The cryogels exhibited swelling/deswelling transitions (reentrant phenomena) in water depending on temperature. These properties were attributed to the macroporous and regularly arranged network of the cryogels. Scanning electron microscope graphs reveal that the macroporous network structure of the cryogels can be adjusted by applying a two-step polymerization.