Asymmetric thermosensitive hydrogel composite for water applications
발표자
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초록
내용
Thermosensitive hydrogel was applied for water flow applications such as microfluidic systems, but only their functions based on reversible volume change of swelling and shrinking were utilized as valves, pistons, etc. This has limitations in applying to water flow. Herein, using an anisometric hydrogel composite, irreversible water flow can be created. We construct a novel water flow system by compositing thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) hydrogel and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). We made cylindrical porous PNIPAm by directional freezing, and infiltration the PDMS at the end of PNIPAm. Asymmetric structure of hydrogel composite can repeat shrinking and swelling with temperature change and produce water flow in one direction. This is a semi-permanent system that can only operate by temperature change without another power source. It can be used for water treatment such as oil-water separation and anionic dye adsorption according to configuration of PNIPAm/PDMS phase.