Synthesis and investigation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-vinylcarbazole) hydrogels morphological, fluorescence and electrical properties

In this study, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-vinylcarbazole) gels were prepared and characterized with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Photoluminescence Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and DC conductivity methods. The synthesis and characterization results showed that the presence of NVCz moieties affected the thermal characteristics, topological properties and conductivity of the gels. The obtained NIPA hydrogel was found to swell in aqueous media for up to 80%, while the 50% NVCz incorporated sample swells up to 40%. Here we report that the fluorescence emission and electrical conductivity results attest the opportunity to manufacture a tunable biomedical materials. Since, the maximum peak at 350 nm red shifted to 385 nm, whilst a second peak appeared at 425 nm by the presence of the conductive PNVCz moieties allowing the possibility to control the fluorescence character of the gel. For instance an in-vivo drug release system tracking in a Fluorescence Image-Guided Surgery (FIGS) in which resolution deepness is essential in the visible wavelength could be extended when excited by means of a fluorophore compound.