Hysteresis in the glucose permeability versus pH characteristic for a responsive hydrogel membrane

A side-by-side diffusion cell was used to study the permeability of glucose through a temperature- and pH-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) hydrogel membrane. At fixed temperature (37°C), lowering pH in one side of the cell induced hydrogel volume collapse and strongly attenuated glucose permeation across the membrane. Hysteresis was observed in the glucose permeability versus pH characteristic.