1. Changes in the internal structure of hydrogels
- Author
-
M.A. de Vries, C. Kosho, W. E. Roorda, H. E. Junginger, and Joke A. Bouwstra
- Subjects
chemistry.chemical_classification ,Materials science ,Polymer ,Bulk water ,Condensed Matter Physics ,chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,Differential thermal analysis ,Self-healing hydrogels ,Polymer chemistry ,medicine ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Absorption (chemistry) ,Swelling ,medicine.symptom ,Instrumentation - Abstract
A hypothesis is presented that explains the swelling behaviour of pHEMA hydrogels in the presence of solutes. Essence of the hypothesis is that in a swollen pHEMA gel almost no bulk water is present, and that solute absorption by the gel is possible only if the solutes can disrupt the integral structure, formed by water and the polymer in the gel. The hypothesis is supported by swelling experiments and differential thermal analysis.
- Published
- 1987