Preparation of polyglycidyl methacrylate microspheres and nanocomposite hydrogels crosslinked by hydrogen bonds

Abstract

In order to meet the application of the flexible wings of the submersible, nanocomposite hydrogels(NC gels) was prepared. Preparation of polyglycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) microspheres and correspondingly NC gels were reported. PGMA microspheres were prepared and modified by N-Methyl-D-glucamine, followed by free radical polymerization of acrylamide in the presence of microspheres to construct nanocomposite hydrogel. FT-IR, XPS and DLS verified a successful introduction of hydroxyl groups during modification. The effects of the particle size and content of the microspheres on the swelling properties of the composite hydrogels were investigated. Hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl groups and polyacrylamide molecular chains play important roles to the swelling property of NC gels. The intermolecular interaction and the crosslinking density were enhanced by the hydrogen bonds, and resultantly, swelling ratio of NC gels decreases.