"TAILORING THE TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVITY OF POLYMERS IN WATER"

Inventors: M. Rackaitis, K. Strawhecker, and E. Manias

PSU Inv. Disc. No. 2002-2613

Licensing Contact: Matthew D. Smith

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/389,672

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The subject invention relates to stimuli responsive polymers with an emphasis on tailoring the temperature-response of the polymers in aqueous solutions. Through a systematic balance of the components in the polymer, the phase separation temperature (LCST) was tuned on demand. In contrast with other temperature sensitive polymers that phase separate from aqueous solutions through a micelle formation (for instance, those based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)(PNIPAM)), the polymers of the present invention exhibit a typical polymer-solvent phase behavior. The solubility phase diagram of the polymers resembles the polyethylene oxide (PEO) phase diagram, but at more relevant temperatures for water-based applications (10-50oC). Examples from both the aqueous solutions of polymers, as well as surface-grafted polymers in water are described herein.

INVENTION STATUS

Tunable temperature sensitive polymers have been developed. Their synthesis involves very simple reactions using commercially available chemicals. Further development work is on-going under federal support.