Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Downloads | Help

CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 4: Focus: Structure and Dynamics of Responsive Hydrogels II

CPP 4.1: Invited Talk

Monday, March 22, 2010, 14:00–14:30, H37

Current mechanistic and experimental views on the heat-induced phase transition of aqueous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) solutions. — •Francoise Winnik — Faculty of Pharmacy and Department of Chemistry, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC Canada

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is highly soluble in cold water, but it becomes insoluble as its solution temperature exceeds 32 oC, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) or cloud point (TCP). This phase transition is governed by the cooperative dehydration of PNIPAM chains and concomitant collapse of individual chains from hydrated coils into hydrophobic globules, which associate to form larger mesoglobules. Recent fundamental and experimental investigations aimed at understanding the physics of the coil-to-globule transition in PNIPAM solutions will be presented with emphasis on the effect of polymer architecture and of additives. [1]

[1] F. Tanaka et al. Phys. Rev.Lett. (2008)101,028302; X.P. Qiu, et al. Macromolecules (2007) 40. 7069.