Development of novel upgrading and control method based on copolymer properties using ultrasonic irradiation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K21098
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 27:Chemical engineering and related fields
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Masaki Kubo 東北大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (50323069)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-07-30 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 超音波 / コポリマー / 分解 / 温度応答性 / 特性改質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a temperature-responsive polymer with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) has a high mechanical strength so that a copolymer of Poly(NIPAM-co-HEMA) is expected to be applied as advanced polymer materials in various fields, such as sensors, actuators, drug delivery systems, and so on. In this study, PNIPAM and Poly(NIPAM-co-HEMA) were decomposed by ultrasonic irradiation, and the effect of the operation factors on the number average molecular weight, the polydispersity, and the thermo-responsiveness was investigated. By regulating the ultrasonic irradiation conditions, the copolymer with sharp temperature responsiveness can be obtained, and the responsive temperature of the copolymer can be controlled.

Free Research Field

反応工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、機能の低いコポリマーに対して、超音波を照射するという簡便な方法で、コポリマーの特性を改質できることが実証された。本研究で確立した方法は、超音波を用いた高分子化学の領域を新たに開拓するものであり、学術的に意義深い。そして、この技術を用いることで、コポリマーのアップグレードならびに特性制御が可能になった。よって、簡便なコポリマー特性改質法を提示した点に社会的意義が見られる。