Radiation Grafting of Thermo-Responsive Gel onto Poly (vinyl chloride)

Abstract

Hybridization of a thermo-responsive N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) hydrogel with poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC ) has been studied in order to improve its mechanical property without compensation for its functionality. In this study, a simultaneous radiation grafting method was applied to the hybridization. In an aqueous solution containing NIPAAm monomers without contacting to PVC, effective radiation-induced polymerization of NIPAAm was achieved. In the presence of a PVC film, graft polymers composed of PVC and NIPAAm was obtained. The graft polymers manifested the thermo-responsive deformation repeatedly.