The shape memory hydrogels were synthesized and studied the physical properties. The gels were made by a hydrophilic monomer named N, N-dimethyl acrylamide (DMAAm) and a hydrophobic monomer named stearyl acrylate (SA). The water-swollen hydrogels show well transparency and shape memory property while gels absorb large water content. The properties were characterized by varying the cross-link concentration, whereas the concentration of other chemical components was remained constant. In this study, the DMAAm and the SA ratio was 3:1 to make one mole solution. It is observed that the swelling ratio slightly depends on the cross-link concentration at certain amount. However, mechanical properties strongly depend on the cross-link concentration. Thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DSC spactra of dried samples exhibits complex crystalline nature, while swollen samples show homogeneous crystallinity. A well thermal stability is observed regard less of cross-link concentration.

Date Published: 1 April 2015
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 9432, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2015, 94320Q (1 April 2015); doi: 10.1117/12.2084181

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9432:
Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2015
Nakhiah C. Goulbourne, Editor(s)