RESPONSIVE POLYMER NETWORKS AND METHODS OF THEIR USE

摘要

A polymer network exhibiting the property of reversible gelation in response to a change in an environmental stimulus is provided. The solvated polymer network polymer comprises about 0.01 to 20wt.% of an associating component linked to about 0.01 to 20 wt.% of a solvophilic component. The solvophilic component. The solvated composition exhibits at least a five-fold increase in viscosity upon gelation. The gelation may be triggered by a change in an environmental stimulus, such as temperature, pH and ionic strength.