Nanocomposite synthesis by absorption of nanoparticles into macroporous hydrogels. Building a chemomechanical actuator driven by electromagnetic radiation.

Macroporous hydrogels irreversibly absorb solid nanoparticles from aqueous dispersions. A nanocomposite is made using a macroporous thermosensitive hydrogel (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-(2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid)) (poly(NIPAm-co-AMPS)) and conductive polymer (polyaniline, PANI) nanoparticles (PANI NPs). Macroporous gels of poly(NIPAm-co-AMPS) were made by a cryogelation technique. NPs of PANI were produced by precipitation polymerization. It is found that PANI NPs are easily absorbed into the macroporous hydrogels while conventional non-porous hydrogels do not incorporate NPs. It is shown that PANI NPs, dispersed in water, absorb NIR laser light or microwave radiation, increasing their temperature. Upon irradiation of the nanocomposite with microwaves or NIR laser light, the PANI NPs heat up and induce the phase transition of the thermosensitive hydrogel matrix and the internal solution is released. Other nano-objects, such as gold nanorods and PANI nanofibers, are also easily incorporated into the macroporous gel. The resulting nanocomposites also suffer a phase transition upon irradiation with electromagnetic waves. The results suggest that, using a thermosensitive matrix and conducting nanoparticles, mechanical/chemical actuators driven at a distance by electromagnetic radiation can be built. The sensitivity of the nanocomposite to electromagnetic radiation can be modulated by the pH, depending on the nature of the incorporated nanoparticles. Additionally, it is possible to make systems which absorb either NIR or microwaves or both.