Volume Phase Transition in Gels: Its Discovery and Development

The history of volume phase transition of responsive gels from its theoretical prediction to experimental discovery was described and the major role of mixing Gibbs energy function in theoretical models was stressed. For detailed analysis and fine tuning of the volume phase transition, the generaliz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gels 2020-07, Vol.6 (3), p.22
Main Authors: Dušek, Karel, Dušková-Smrčková, Miroslava
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
gel
phase separation
polymer network
Review
stimuli-responsive
swelling
volume phase transition
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Summary:The history of volume phase transition of responsive gels from its theoretical prediction to experimental discovery was described and the major role of mixing Gibbs energy function in theoretical models was stressed. For detailed analysis and fine tuning of the volume phase transition, the generalized Flory-Huggins model with concentration and temperature dependent interaction function coupled with Maxwell construction as a tool is very suitable. Application of expansive stresses can uncover the potential of various swelling gels for volume phase transition. Experimentally, the abrupt, equilibrium-controlled phase transition is often hard to achieve due to passage of gel through states of mechanical instability and slow relaxation processes in macroscopic objects.
ISSN:2310-2861
2310-2861
DOI:10.3390/gels6030022