Macro and Micro Forms of Thermosensitive Hydrogels

This book reports on a study in the macro and micro forms of thermosensitive hydrogels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) that are intended for use in textile-based applications in a controlled release of drugs via a transdermal route. A synthetic polymer PNIPAAm was combined in both the linear and crosslinked form with a natural polysaccharide alginate to form thermosensitive hydrogel films and microbeads of semi- and full-interpenetrating polymer network structures. A further form of thermosensitive hydrogel microbeads was obtained by the modification of PNIPAAm network in the presence of maleic anhydride as a comonomer. The study underlines the advantages of functionalized over pure PNIPAAm hydrogels in terms of their thermal, swelling, mechanical, morphological, and drug releasing properties. The presented research constitutes a valuable starting point in development of a smart textile patch that has properties to release the drugs at a temperature-controlled rate.