Alkyl imidazolium-based polymer hydrogels produced by copolymerizing N-allylimidazolium chloride (AlImCl) bearing a long alkyl chain exerted a sol-gel phase transition in response to the addition of specific anions. Microscopic observation indicates that spherical microdomains of the polymer assembly were formed in the hydrogels. A hydrophobized fluorescent dye spontaneously accumulated and freely moved in the microdomains due to their high hydrophobicity and fluidity. The hydrogels with the unique domains are promising supports that can be used for multiple functional molecules in biosensing, bioproduction and a new type of drug delivery system.
- Satoshi Yamaguchi
- Ryoichiro Kawabata
- Teruyuki Nagamune
