Synthesis and characterisation of redox-responsive hydrogels based on stable nitroxide radicals

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have the unique property of undergoing a phase transition. This property has attracted much interest for their application in the field of medicine and biotechnology. Aqueous solutions of linear polymers of the poly(N-substituted acrylamides),poly(ethylene glycol methacrylates) families and their threedimensional macroscopic (hydrogels) or microscopic (nano- and microgels) networks demonstrate such a phase transition behavior. In particular, polymers of this family have the ability to respond to temperature and are characterized by a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Moreover, redox-responsive polymers such as those based on 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy-methacrylate(TEMPO), also gained a lot of attention in recent years. The aim of the present thesis is the synthesis and characterisation of stimuli-responsive hydrogels prepared from the above-mentioned polymers. The effect of both redox and temperature stimuli on the mechanical and electrochemical characteristics of these hydrogels is studied and their possible application for the precise encapsulation/release of guest molecules and as catalytic scaffolds for alcohol oxidation is demonstrated.