• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.223-228
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• 2012

Temperature and pH sensitive graft copolymers [Pluronic-$g$-poly(NIPAAm-$co$-MMA), Polymer A] and [Pluronic-$g$-poly( NIPAAm-$co$-MAA), Polymer C] were synthesized by macro radical graft polymerization with $N$-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM)/$N,N$-diethylaminoethylmethacrylate (DEAEMA) and $N$-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm)/methacrylic acid (MAA) based on Pluronic, respectively. The chemical structure and molecular weight of the graft copolymers was characterized by $^1H$ NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The aqueous solution properties of graft copolymers were measured using a UV-visible spectrophotometer, contact angle and dynamic light scattering equipment with different temperature and pH conditions. The obtained graft copolymers showed a very sensitive phase transition in response to temperature and pH in aqueous media which suggested that the amine group of DEAEMA segment and carboxylic group of MAA had a great influence on the lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) in Polymer A and C, respectively. The graft copolymers can be utilized for drug delivery system and molecular switching applications where responses to temperature and pH changes are relevant.