Thermal and pH dual responsive polyurethane/2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate hybrids: Synthesis, characterization, and swelling behavior

Abstract

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of stimuli-sensitive hybrid films using 2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DPA), and a polyurethane (PU) base on isophorone diisocyanate. Hybrid films with different amounts of DPA present good film and physicochemical properties. Characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, modulate differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis reveal chemical interactions between PU and DPA groups. Swelling behavior of films shows a dependence on DPA content, pH, and temperature and different mechanisms of water uptake in response to pH and temperature variations. Hybrid systems would allow controlling water absorption not only through pH or temperature but also from the chosen PU/DPA proportion.