Controllable pH- and light-responsive chitosan-based multicomponent interpenetrating networks

Intelligent chitosan-based multivariate interpenetrating network (ICMIPN) was facilely tailor-made via modulating its components. ICMIPN was generated through common radical cross-linking reaction among macromonomers, which were derived from chitosan, starch and poly(vinyl alcohol) respectively, and acrylic acid (AA) as well as 4-acryloyoxyazobenzene (AHAB). ICMIPN exhibited a reversible trans-cis-trans photoisomerization behavior when it was subjected to alternative UV and visible light irradiation or dark storage. ICMIPN also displayed pH-sensitive swelling in buffer salines. By adjusting the initial amount of AHAB or AA, the responsive property of ICMIPN was varied accordingly. In addition, the thermal stability of ICMIPN was changed with altering its composition.

Automated summary

In this study, an intelligent polymer ICMIPN was tailor-made through modulating its components, showing controllable physical properties such as photoisomerization, pH-sensitivity, and thermal stability.