Controlled Structure and Properties of Thermoresponsive Nanoparticle–Hydrogel Composites

Nanocomposite hydrogels consisting of colloidal gold nanoparticles and thermoresponsive N-isopropylacrylamide copolymers (see Figure) are synthesized. The size, morphology, and stability of the nanoparticles are controlled by the amount of thiol group in the polymer side chains. Compared with non-Au-containing hydrogels, remarkably different bulk properties of equilibrium swelling and thermoresponsive phase transition are displayed. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2089/2004/c6516_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.