Macroporous open cell polyester amphigel using citric acid and PEO: Solvent absorption, thermal behavior, and slow release of pesticide

Abstract This article describes citric acid cross‐linked amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macroporous open cell polyester amphigel, optimally synthesized using response surface methodology by applying central composite design to screen significant reaction parameters for maximizing percent water sorption. The chemical structure of the amphigel was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR), FT‐IR and the thermal behavior was studied using thermo‐gravimetric and DSC. Due to amphiphilic nature, the amphigels also showed high chloroform (1151.33%–1193.33%) and water (755.33%–865%) absorption capacity. Thermal analysis revealed that amphigels are less thermal stability as compared to PEO, however, the degradation process was found to be multi step. The amphigel was effectively used as a carrier for easy loading of a hydrophobic pesticide and showed a slow release of the same.