Dually pH-responsive polyelectrolyte complex hydrogel composed of polyacrylic acid and poly (2-(dimthylamino) ethyl methacrylate)

Stimuli-responsive polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) hydrogel is directly synthesized by the radical polymerization of 2-(dimthylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) in the polyacrylic acid (PAAc) solution. The obtained PEC hydrogel respond to two pH triggers and the ionic strength, moreover, it is mechanical tough and self-healable at room temperature, which might serve to be a new class of responsive materials.188