Poly(NIPAAm- co-Ru(bpy)32+) hydrogels crosslinked by double-bond end-capped Pluronic F127: preparation, properties and coupling with the BZ reaction

Topological network design is an effective way to obtain new functionalities and regulate the properties of stimuli responsive hydrogels. In this work, poly(NIPAAm-co-Ru(bpy) 3 2+ ) hydrogels (NIPAAm: N-isopropylacrylamide, Ru(bpy) 3 2+ : Ruthenium bipyridine complex monomer) crosslinked by amphiphilic triblock copolymers were designed and constructed by a photo-induced gelation method, utilizing double-bond end-capped Pluronic F127 (F127DA) as the crosslinking agent, NIPAAm and Ru(bpy) 3 2+ as the monomers, α-ketoglutaric acid as the photoinitiator and H2O as the solvent. The resulting F127DA crosslinked hydrogels exhibit unique swelling behaviors, mechanical properties, fluorescent behaviors and thermosensitive properties and can be coupled with the BZ reaction. The present example may enrich the family of metal-containing polymer materials and provide clues to develop other functional hydrogels by designing topologically crosslinked network.