A molecular theory of polymer gels

Yanbin Huang; Igal Szleifer; Nicholas A. Peppas

doi:10.1021/ma011294r

A molecular theory of polymer gels

Yanbin Huang, Igal Szleifer^*, Nicholas A. Peppas

^*Corresponding author for this work

Biomedical Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

A new theory for polymer gels is developed on the basis of the single-chain mean-field (SCMF) theory. This theory takes the mesh chain or the star polymer as the characteristic unit of polymer gels, and it allows the study of chain conformation properties for gels in their different states. The preparation condition effect is conveniently described by the current theory, and the gels with complex chain structures can also be studied since the SCMF theory take realistic chain conformations into consideration. In this work, the theory is compared with the widely used Flory-type gel theory and with experimental observations. It is shown that the star polymer is a more natural basic unit of the gel structure. The current theory is found to provide a better description of the gels than the Flory-type theory as well as better agreement with gel swelling experimental data for poly(ethylene oxide) gels.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1373-1380
Number of pages	8
Journal	Macromolecules
Volume	35
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/ma011294r
State	Published - Feb 12 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Organic Chemistry
Polymers and Plastics
Inorganic Chemistry
Materials Chemistry

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AU - Peppas, Nicholas A.

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AB - A new theory for polymer gels is developed on the basis of the single-chain mean-field (SCMF) theory. This theory takes the mesh chain or the star polymer as the characteristic unit of polymer gels, and it allows the study of chain conformation properties for gels in their different states. The preparation condition effect is conveniently described by the current theory, and the gels with complex chain structures can also be studied since the SCMF theory take realistic chain conformations into consideration. In this work, the theory is compared with the widely used Flory-type gel theory and with experimental observations. It is shown that the star polymer is a more natural basic unit of the gel structure. The current theory is found to provide a better description of the gels than the Flory-type theory as well as better agreement with gel swelling experimental data for poly(ethylene oxide) gels.

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A molecular theory of polymer gels

Abstract

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