Synthesis and characterization of semi-interpenetrating polymer network based on poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]

A semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) based on poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA) was prepared. The material obtained was characterized by infrared spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electronic microscopy. The results indicated the presence of PDMAEMA into the semi-IPNs. Only the network with the highest amount of crosslinker [(3-chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane] was stable in water. To evaluate the hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of the obtained material, swelling measurements were performed for the stable network in water and in toluene. The semi-IPN was able to adsorb about 34 % in mass of water, indicating that an appropriate hydrophylic/hydrophobic balance was obtained. That behavior is desirable since the material was designed for metal adsorption from aqueous medium, without a lost in the ability to swell in less polar solvents.