SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION STUDIES OF A SERIES OF N-VINYL IMIDAZOLE-BASED HYDROGEL

Abstract

In this study, poly[(N-vinyl imidazole)-co-(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)] hydrogels with various mole percentages ofmonomers were prepared by free radical solution polymerization in aqueous media. N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide and 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile were used as cross-linker and initiator, respectively. A Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer,scanning electron microscope and thermogravimetric analyzer were used for the characterization of the hydrogels. Theswelling behavior of the hydrogels in aqueous solution was investigated at pH 6.0 and 25°C. The results showed thatswelling characteristics were affected by the 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate content of the copolymeric hydrogel. Theswelling degree of hydrogels increased from 4.2 g g-1to 25.4 g g-1 by increasing the 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylateconcentration from 0 to 15% with respect to the total moles of the monomers.