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Synthesis and Characterization of Homopolymer and Copolymer of
N-Isopropylarylamide (Nipam) and Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
(Tegdma) By Using Emulsion Polymerization Technique
Anis Arina Binti Zainuddin
Supervisor: Dr Noor Aniza Binti Harun
Bachelor of Science (Chemical Sciences)
School Of Fundamental Science
Hydrogels undergo alteration in structure from hydrophilic to hydrophobic state,
triggered by changes in the temperature known as lower critical solution temperature
(LCST). However, LCST has brought limitations towards the applications of hydrogels
especially in chemical and biological processes. N-isopropylacylamide (NIPAM) is a
monomer that effected by LCST and tend to change from liquid to solid hydrogels
when heated above 32℃. The emulsion copolymerization of NIPAM and triethylene
glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) in different ratios are believed to improve the effect
of LCST. The copolymer formation, structures, thermal properties, and solubility of
copolymer nanoparticles were investigated using FTIR, SEM, TGA, and solubility test.
As resulting in the changes of the peak intensities of the functional groups, it shows
the achievement of formation of the copolymer nanoparticles that has potential to
improve LCST. Emulsion copolymerization of P(NIPAM-co-TEGDMA) demonstrated the
successful formation of copolymer nanoparticles which could improve the LCST of
NIPAM.
405 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2018