Swelling behavior and diffusion studies of high-water-retaining acrylamide/potassium methacrylate hydrogels

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2005-05, Vol.96 (4), p.1153-1164
• Main Authors: Mohan, Y. Murali, Murthy, P. S. Keshava, Rao, K. Madhusudana, Sreeramulu, J., Raju, K. Mohana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; diffusion; Exact sciences and technology; hydrogels; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; Solution and gel properties; swelling
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.21565

Poly(acrylamide‐co‐potassium methacrylate) hydrogels were prepared by free‐radical simultaneous polymerization with aqueous solutions of acrylamide (AAm) and potassium methacrylate (KMA) with a redox initiator. The copolymerization was performed with eight different compositions of KMA at a fixed concentration of oil‐soluble crosslinkers, including 1,4‐butanediol diacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). For every composition of AAm/KMA copolymer, the percentage swelling, swelling equilibrium, and diffusion characteristics were investigated. The copolymers were further studied for deswelling properties. The power law relationships of the hydrogels were evaluated for variation in terms of saline concentration. The AAm/KMA copolymers were confirmed by IR spectroscopy. Thermal studies of hydrogels were performed with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. EGDMA was found to be a better crosslinker for obtaining higher swelling and deswelling properties for the AAm/KMA hydrogels. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1153–1164, 2005