Detection of Ammonia Based on Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels

This article describes an ammonia-responsive hydrogel based on acrylic acid (AAc) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). The influence of the hydrogel composition on swelling behavior in the alkaline range was shown. Furthermore, the hydrogel swelling in ammonia solutions was tested and a detection limit in the range of 1 mmol/L ammonia in dependence of the buffer solution was determined.