The effect of the crosslinker variation towards the low critical solution temperature of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) polymer

Research on low critical solution temperature (LCST) of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel was investigated. The gel was prepared through a free radical polymerization. Crosslinker N,N'-methylene(bis)acrylamide was varied from 3% to 4% of monomer mass and ammonium persulfate was added as the initiator at a fixed concentration of 2% monomer mass. A solution of 50 mM PBS pH 7 was used as the solvent. The LCST was determined using swelling ratio measurement in the temperature range of 15 °C to 70 °C. The result showed that the transparent polymer gel was obtained at room temperature.