The effect of buffer and γ irradiation on the optical properties of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) copolymer was investigated. The transmission of HEMA copolymer decreased with the increase of irradiation dose and/or pH value of the buffer. The cutoff wavelength of HEMA copolymer exhibits a bathochromic shift as the γ-ray dose and/or pH value of buffer increases. The influence of atmosphere during γ-ray irradiation on the optical properties of HEMA copolymer was investigated. The change of optical properties of HEMA copolymer irradiated in air was more pronounced than that irradiated in vacuum. Light was scattered by holes in the polymer. The relationship between scattering intensity (Is) and incident wavelength (λ) can be described by the formula Is ∝ λ−n. The span of holes increases with the irradiation dose regardless of radiation atmosphere and pH value in the range of 4.1–6.5. A boundary between the inner and outer layers of HEMA copolymer irradiated in air was observed, separating two differential morphologies of holes.
Control of the temperature responsiveness of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymer using ultrasonic irradiation
