Abstract
A semi-interpenetrating network (IPN) was prepared for a temperature-sensitive polymer system composed of sodium alginate and poly (N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA)-co-ethyl acrylamide (EAAm)). The role of sodium alginate is to provide crosslinked network and that of poly(DMAEMA-co-EAAm) is to provide temperature responsiveness to the polymer system. Semi-IPN gel shows temperature-induced swelling transition at the same temperature of the lower critical solution temperature of poly(DMAEMA-co-EAAm) and its swelling kinetics is manipulated by the control of crosslinking densitv.