University Chemistry ›› 2021, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (2): 1912023.doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX201912023

Special Issue:

• Chemistry Laboratory • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Aqueous Synthesis and Characterization of Temperature-Responsive Polymer Microgels: An Introduction of a Comprehensive Chemical Experiment

Laiying Zhang(), Ruyue Lan, Zhihong Liu, Weitai Wu()   

  • Received:2019-12-06 Accepted:2019-12-26 Published:2020-02-15
  • Contact: Laiying Zhang,Weitai Wu E-mail:wuzhly@xmu.edu.cn;wuwtxmu@xmu.edu.cn

Abstract:

This study illustrates a comprehensive experiment covering polymer chemistry, physical chemistry and instrumental analysis. In this experiment, the temperature-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) microgels are synthesized and characterized. The PNIPAM microgels are prepared by free-radical precipitation polymerization in aqueous phase. The temperature responsive properties of PNIPAM microgels were explored from two aspects, macroscopic and microscopic. This comprehensive experiment is based on the research of cutting-edge topics, which is helpful to cultivate students' ability of integrating theory with experiment and applying knowledge to practice, as well as to train students' awareness of interdisciplinary integration.

Key words: Temperature response, Polymer microgel, Preparation and characterization, Comprehensive experiment