pH-Sensitive electrical behavior of 4-vinylpyridine grafts on poly(propylene) films

An interesting, electrical behavior of Poly(4-vinylpyridine) was observed at different pH values. 4-vinylpyridine was grafted onto mechanically durable poly(propylene) films to synthesize a pH responsive hydrogel. We have focused on the influence of temperature and pH on the electrical behavior response of hydrogel. An abrupt increase of its electrical resistance from 5 to 20 X106 Ω was observed when the hydrogel (100% grafted) was swelled on phosphate buffer solutions with pH value of 4 and 8 respectively.