Journal
POLYMERS
Volume 12, Issue 1, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/polym12010100
Keywords
smart polymers; thermoresponsive; lower critical solution temperature; wettability; smart textile
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Funding
- Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan [MOST 107-2218-E-011-026, MOST 108-2622-E-011-003-CC2]
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In this study, we synthesized a random poly[(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate)-co-(N-methylolacrylamide)] [poly(NIPAAm-co-HEMA-co-NMA)] copolymer through free-radical polymerization. The NIPAAm, HEMA and NMA moieties were framed to provide thermoresponsiveness, water absorption and retention control, and chemical cross-linking to achieve stability in aqueous medium, respectively. The copolymer showed a significant change in optical transmittance with a variation in temperature due to the change in volume (i.e., hydrophilic/hydrophobic) between 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C, attributed to the lower critical solution temperature property of the NIPAAm moiety. The copolymers were wire-bar-coated onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric. Variation in the water contact angle affirmed the switchable wettability due to the change in temperature. We tested the coated fabrics for moisture absorption and release at different temperatures. The results at 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C indicated that the P2 copolymer had the highest moisture absorption and release capability. Therefore, the copolymers with tailored properties can be used as smart textiles for activity specific clothing.
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