Multifunctional PEG-Based Macroinimer-Mediated Synthesis of Poly(N-Vinylimidazole) Hydrogels: Structural Characterization and Responsive Swelling Behavior
JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE, 2026 (SCI-Expanded)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1002/pola.70331
- Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
- Kocaeli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Poly(N-vinylimidazole) (PVI)-based hydrogels were synthesized using multifunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based macroinimers (400-2000 g mol-1) that simultaneously served as radical-generating and network-forming components, eliminating additional initiators and conventional crosslinkers. Structural and physicochemical characterization confirmed the formation of porous, predominantly amorphous, thermally stable networks with PEG-chain-length-dependent morphological and mechanical properties. Increasing PEG molecular weight decreased gel yield, demonstrating the influence of the macroinimer architecture on network formation. The hydrogels exhibited pronounced pH-, temperature-, and ionic-environment-dependent swelling. The prepared PVI-based hydrogels achieved highest swelling capacity of 4727% +/- 95% at pH 2, primarily attributed to protonation-induced expansion of the imidazole-containing network. Swelling was generally maximized at 40 degrees C, while FeCl3 and AlCl3 markedly enhanced water uptake through combined medium acidification, ionic interactions, and network effects. The hydrogels maintained stable swelling behavior and structural integrity over 30 days of aqueous immersion. In addition, preliminary Cr(VI) adsorption as a model heavy metal ion water pollutant further demonstrated removal efficiency of the hydrogels of up to 45% over a period of 1 h. Overall, the PEG-based macroinimer emerges as an effective molecular design parameter for tailoring PVI hydrogel network formation, physicochemical performance, and environmental responsiveness, highlighting their potential for aqueous pollutant remediation.