Characterization of smart materials synthesized via controlled radical polymerization

CHED 41

Cathrin Corten, dirk.kuckling@chemie.tu-dresden.de and Dirk Kuckling, dirk.kuckling@chemie.tu-dresden.de. Fachrichtung für Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, TU Dresden, D-01062 Dresden, Germany
This presentation describes a graduate research project, which is integrated into the Collaborative Research Centre 287, “Reactive Polymers in Inhomogeneous Systems, in Melts, and at Interfaces," which is supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Our work aims to integrate multiple functions into polymeric materials. For example, photo cross-linkable multi-sensitive block copolymers based on a pH-sensitive component and a temperature-sensitive component were synthesized via nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP). It was shown that these smart block copolymers could be synthesized with variable molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution. Using the photo cross-linking technique, the preparation of thin hydrogel layers was successful. The swelling behavior of these responsive films was investigated by different optical methods. The high sensitivity to external stimuli allows the application of such hydrogel layers as sensor material.