Frontal polymerization synthesis of temperature-sensitive hydrogels

Rapid Preparation of Superabsorbent Self-Healing Hydrogels by Frontal Polymerization

Hydrogels have received increasing interest owing to their excellent physicochemical properties and wide applications. In this paper, we report the rapid fabrication of new hydrogels possessing a super water swelling capacity and self-healing ability using a fast, energy-efficient, and convenient method of frontal polymerization (FP). Self-sustained copolymerization of acrylamide (AM), 3-[Dimethyl-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethyl]azaniumyl]propane-1-sulfonate (SBMA), and acrylic acid (AA) within 10 min via FP yielded highly transparent and stretchable poly(AM-co-SBMA-co-AA) hydrogels. Thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the successful fabrication of poly(AM-co-SBMA-co-AA) hydrogels with a single copolymer composition without branched polymers. The effect of monomer ratio on FP features as well as porous morphology, swelling behavior, and self-healing performance of the hydrogels were systematically investigated, showing that the properties of the hydrogels could be tuned by adjusting the chemical composition. The resulting hydrogels were superabsorbent and sensitive to pH, exhibiting a high swelling ratio of up to 11,802% in water and 13,588% in an alkaline environment. The rheological data revealed a stable gel network. These hydrogels also had a favorable self-healing ability with a healing efficiency of up to 95%. This work contributes a simple and efficient method for the rapid preparation of superabsorbent and self-healing hydrogels.

Frontal Polymerizations: From Chemical Perspectives to Macroscopic Properties and Applications

The synthesis and processing of most thermoplastics and thermoset polymeric materials rely on energy-inefficient and environmentally burdensome manufacturing methods. Frontal polymerization is an attractive, scalable alternative due to its exploitation of polymerization heat that is generally wasted and unutilized. The only external energy needed for frontal polymerization is an initial thermal (or photo) stimulus that locally ignites the reaction. The subsequent reaction exothermicity provides local heating; the transport of this thermal energy to neighboring monomers in either a liquid or gel-like state results in a self-perpetuating reaction zone that provides fully cured thermosets and thermoplastics. Propagation of this polymerization front continues through the unreacted monomer media until either all reactants are consumed or sufficient heat loss stalls further reaction. Several different polymerization mechanisms support frontal processes, including free-radical, cat- or anionic, amine-cure epoxides, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The choice of monomer, initiator/catalyst, and additives dictates how fast the polymer front traverses the reactant medium, as well as the maximum temperature achievable. Numerous applications of frontally generated materials exist, ranging from porous substrate reinforcement to fabrication of patterned composites. In this review, we examine in detail the physical and chemical phenomena that govern frontal polymerization, as well as outline the existing applications.

Physicomechanical and Morphological Characterization of Multi-Structured Potassium-Acrylate-Based Hydrogels

In this work, a photo-polymerization route was used to obtain potassium acrylate-co-acrylamide hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties, well-defined microstructures in the dry state, and unique meso- and macrostructures in the hydrated state. The properties of the hydrogels depended on the concentration of the crosslinking agent. Mechanical properties, swelling capacity, and morphology were analyzed, showing a well-defined transition at a critical concentration of the crosslinker. In terms of morphology, shape-evolving surface patterns appeared at different scales during swelling. These surface structures had a noticeable influence on the mechanical properties. Hydrogels with structures exhibited better mechanical properties compared to unstructured hydrogels. The critical crosslinking concentration reported in this work (using glycerol diacrylate) is a reference point for the future preparation of multistructured acrylic hydrogel with enhanced properties.

Rapid Fabrication of Patterned Gels via Microchannel-Conformal Frontal Polymerization

From the perspective of both fundamental and applied science, it is extremely advisable to develop a facile and feasible strategy for fabricating gels with defined structures. Herein, the authors report the rapid synthesis of patterned gels by conducting frontal polymerization (FP) at millimeter-scale (2 mm), where a series of microchannels, including linear-, parallel-, divergent-, snakelike-, circular- and concentric circular channels, were used. They have investigated the effect of various factors (monomer mass ratio, channel size, initiator concentration, and solvent content) on FP at millimeter-scale, along with the propagating rule of the front during FP in these microchannels. In addition, we developed a new microfluidic-assisted FP (MFP) strategy by combining the FP and microfluidic technique. Interestingly, the MFP can realize the production of hollow-structured gel in a rapid and continuous fashion, which have never been reported. Our work not only offers an effective pathway towards patterned gels by the microchannel-conformal FP, but also gives new insight into the continuous production of hollow-structured materials. Such a method will be beneficial for fabricating vessel and scaffold materials in a flexible, easy-to-perform, time and energy saving way.

A dual stimuli responsive natural polymer based superabsorbent hydrogel engineered through a novel cross-linker

An intelligent dual stimuli (pH and thermo) responsive, highly porous grafted SPI hydrogel.

Formation mechanism of zigzag patterned P(NIPAM-co-AA)/CuS composite microspheres by in situ biomimetic mineralization for morphology modulation

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/copper sulfide (P(NIPAM-co-AA)/CuS) composite microspheres with variable zigzag patterned surfaces have been synthesized by employing an in situ biomimetic mineralization reaction between H₂S and Cu²⁺ immersed in P(NIPAM-co-AA) microspheres for morphology modulation. The morphology and composition of the P(NIPAM-co-AA)/CuS composite microspheres with zigzag patterned surfaces prepared in different conditions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The polymeric microgels swelled by Cu(Ac)₂ solution after freeze-drying treatment were of porous structure, indicating that there were polymeric frameworks and rich-water domains in the microgels before the deposition. Furthermore, due to the limited uneven deposition of metal sulfide on the polymeric skeleton of the hydrogel surface, the surface polymeric skeleton will be anisotropically shrunk when the composite microspheres lose water and shrink, thus forming a wrinkle pattern on the surface of the composite microspheres. The factors affecting the deposition amount and distribution of metal sulfide will affect the zigzag patterned morphology. Based on the experimental results, a formation mechanism of the P(NIPAM-co-AA)/CuS composite microspheres with zigzag patterned surface, “the deformed shrinkage of the surface texture”, has been proposed. The formation mechanism of the surface morphology in the composite microspheres is helpful for understanding and controlling the process of mineralization, for preparing materials expected by controlling the experiment conditions, and for expanding the application of the composites.

P(NIPAM-co-AA)/CuS composite microspheres with zigzag patterned surfaces were synthesized, and a mechanism for “the deformed shrinkage of the surface texture” was proposed. The surface morphology is sensitive to factors such as K_sp, pH, temperature, deposition amount, etc.

Rapid Synthesis of Elastomers and Thermosets with Tunable Thermomechanical Properties

Rapid, solvent-free synthesis of poly(1,4-butadiene) in ambient conditions is demonstrated by frontal ring-opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP) of 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD). Furthermore, cross-linked copolymers with a wide range of tunable properties are readily prepared by FROMP of mixtures of COD and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD). Specifically, glass transition temperature and tensile modulus are varied from -90 to 114 °C and 3.1 MPa to 1.9 GPa, respectively, by controlling the comonomer ratio. Copolymers with subambient glass transition temperature exhibit robust elastomeric behavior, with the ability to repeatedly recover from large elastic deformations. As a demonstration of the capability of this manufacturing strategy, gradient materials are fabricated in less than a minute with spatially controlled properties for multistage shape memory actuation. This simple yet powerful manufacturing strategy enables rapid synthesis of copolymers ranging from elastomers to thermosets with precise control over thermomechanical properties.

Carbon and carbon composites obtained using deep eutectic solvents and aqueous dilutions thereof

Extending the “all-in-one” features of DESs to DES/H₂O binary mixtures.

Thermally driven directional free-radical polymerization in confined channels

We report on the formation of poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) with a relatively-narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) by means of thermally-driven directional free-radical polymerization carried out in polymerization chambers featuring two parallel glass walls separated by various distances, ranging from sub-millimeter to a few millimeters.

Alkyl Phosphite Inhibitors for Frontal Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization Greatly Increase Pot Life

Frontal ring-opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP) has potential for use in rapid fabrication of structural polymers. However, the high activity of the ruthenium catalyst used for FROMP has limited the working time to <1 h. We report the use of alkyl phosphites as inhibitors for Grubbs' type catalysts to substantially extend working time. Subtle changes in alkyl phosphite structure are shown to impact both pot life and frontal velocity. Specifically, by varying phosphite structure and concentration, we are able to control pot life between 0.25 and 30 h while still allowing FROMP to proceed at velocities between 1 and 8 cm/min to yield fully cured thermoset polymers. These results are of interest for conventional ROMP synthesis and may open the way to new FROMP-based manufacturing possibilities.

β-Cyclodextrin-based supramolecular poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels prepared by frontal polymerization

Frontal polymerization (FP) was successfully applied to the synthesis of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted-acryloyl-β-cyclodextrin supramolecularly crosslinked hydrogels. It was established that acryloyl-β-cyclodextrin (AβCD) allowed performing successful frontal polymerizations with N-isopropylacrylamide even in the absence of any covalent crosslinker, which is something generally required. It was found that the swelling properties of the resulting hydrogels can be tuned by varying the amount of AβCD. Namely, when little amounts of this non-covalent crosslinker were used, superabsorbent hydrogels were obtained. Hydrogels containing also a covalent crosslinker were also prepared for comparison. These latter exhibited swelling ratios that are much lower than the others.

Classification, processing and application of hydrogels: A review

This article aims to review the literature concerning the choice of selectivity for hydrogels based on classification, application and processing. Super porous hydrogels (SPHs) and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) represent an innovative category of recent generation highlighted as an ideal mould system for the study of solution-dependent phenomena. Hydrogels, also termed as smart and/or hungry networks, are currently subject of considerable scientific research due to their potential in hi-tech applications in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, bioseparation, biosensor, agriculture, oil recovery and cosmetics fields. Smart hydrogels display a significant physiochemical change in response to small changes in the surroundings. However, such changes are reversible; therefore, the hydrogels are capable of returning to its initial state after a reaction as soon as the trigger is removed.

Synthesis and characterization of functionally gradient materials obtained by frontal polymerization

Functionally gradient materials (FGMs) with gradual and continuous changes of their properties in one or more dimensions are useful in a wide range of applications. However, obtaining such materials with accurate control of the gradient, especially when the gradient is nonlinear, is not easy. In this work, frontal polymerization (FP) was exploited to synthesize polymeric FGMs. We demonstrated that the use of ascending FP with continuous feeding of monomers with computer-controlled peristaltic pumps provided an excellent method for the preparation of functionally gradient materials with programmed gradients. To test the effectiveness of the method, copolymers made from triethylene glycol dimethacrylate/hexyl methacrylate with linear and hyperbolic gradient in composition were synthesized. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Shore A hardness measurements, compression tests, and swelling studies were performed along the length of the materials to assess the relationship between the gradients and the material properties. Glass transition temperatures, determined by DSC, showed a linear dependence on the composition and were in agreement with theoretical values. The other properties showed different and specific behaviors as a function of the compositional gradient.

Facile access to poly(DMAEMA-co-AA) hydrogels via infrared laser-ignited frontal polymerization and their polymerization in the horizontal direction

pH sensitive hydrogels are fabricated via infrared laser-ignited frontal polymerization (LIFP), and LIFP in the horizontal direction is employed towards dye adsorption.

In situ access to fluorescent dual-component polymers towards optoelectronic devices via inhomogeneous biphase frontal polymerization

Fluorescent dual-component poly(AM-co-NVP) and poly(HEA-co-NVP) polymers used to generate white LEDs were in situ synthesized via laser-ignited inhomogeneous biphase frontal polymerization.

Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam): a thermoresponsive macromolecule with promising future in biomedical field

Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) is a thermoresponsive and biocompatible polymer that raises an increasing interest in the biomedical area, especially in drug delivery systems (DDS) that include micelles, hydrogels, and hybrid particles. The thermoresponsiveness of PNVCL, used alone or in combination with other stimuli- responsive polymers or particles (pH, magnetic field, or chemicals), is often key in the loading and/or release process in these DDS. The renewed focus on this polymer, which is known for decades, is to a large extent due to recent progress in synthetic strategies. Especially, the advent of efficient controlled radical polymerization (CRP) methods for NVCL monomer gives now access to unprecedented well-defined NVCL-based copolymers with unique properties. This Review article addresses up-to-date synthetic aspects, biological features, and biomedical applications of the latest NVCL-containing systems.

Rapid stiffening of a microfluidic endoskeleton via frontal polymerization

Materials capable of rapidly modifying their physical properties in response to stimuli are desirable for on-demand deployment and adaptive engineering structures. Frontal polymerization is a self-propagating reaction that can quickly transform liquid reactants into solid products. In this contribution, we demonstrate that frontal polymerization enables facile, rapid stiffening of a vascular network embedded in a flexible matrix. Systematic variation of the vascular architecture shows that polymerization fronts in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix are self-propagating in channels as small as 838 μm and even when curves, branch points and converging geometries are present. After polymerization the composite structure was dramatically stiffened (up to 18 times the original Young's modulus) based on tensile testing results. This work demonstrates the use of frontal polymerization as an efficient methodology for transforming flexible materials into functional supports or surfaces through endoskeletal stiffening.

Controlled release of lidocaine hydrochloride from polymerized drug-based deep-eutectic solvents

This work takes advantage of the transformation of lidocaine hydrochloride into deep-eutectic solvents (DESs) – ionic liquid analogues – to incorporate polymerizable counterparts into DESs, such that polymer–drug complexes are synthesized by free-radical frontal polymerization without the use of a solvent.