Effects of hema on the synthesis process and thermal sensitivity of poly (NIPAM-co-HEMA)

Abstract

Copolymers of poly (N – isopropylacrylamide – co – hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [P(NIPAM – co – HEMA)]  were synthesized from the copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers with various molar  ratios. The reactivity ratios of HEMA, calculated by Kelen- Tudos method were higher than NIPAM (rNIPAM = 0.05; rHEMA = 0.5).The structure of copolymers  were characterized by IR spectrum; lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of copolymer increase when increasing HEMA monomer