Thermo-responsive PNIPAM hydrogel nanofibres photocrosslinked by azido-POSS

Photocrosslinkable thermo-responsive nanofibres were prepared by electrospinning poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) in the presence of an Azido-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (Azido-POSS). ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation yielded a highly-crosslinked hydrogel network within 2 min. The treated nanofibres showed outstanding stability in water, excellent hydrogel characteristics, fast response to temperature changes with fast swelling and de-swelling.