γ-rays-induced synthesis of hydrogels of vinyl ethers with stimuli-sensitive behavior

gamma-Radiation method was applied to synthesize novel water-soluble and water-swelling polymers. Vinyl ether of ethylene glycol (VEEG), vinyl butyl (VBE) and vinyl isobutyl (VIBE) ethers were used as monomers. The synthesis of VEEG-VBE and VEEG-VIBE copolymers was carried out in a wide range of feed composition and absorbed dose. It was found that the hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance of the copolymers could be delicately varied by the copolymer composition as well as by the chemical structure of the alkyl substitute in the hydrophobic moiety. The copolymers exhibit thermo-sensitive behavior in water solutions. The value of transition temperature is considerably decreased at a higher concentration of the hydrophobic component in the copolymer composition. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.