Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Microwave-assisted Functionalization of Poly(ethylene glycol) and On-resin Peptides for Use in Chain Polymerizations and Hydrogel Formation
Published on: October 29, 2013
Swelling Behavior of Anionic Hydrogels: Experiments and Modeling
Raffaella De Piano1, Diego Caccavo1, Anna Angela Barba2
1Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy.
Abstract:
Polyelectrolyte hydrogels are smart materials whose swelling behavior is governed by ionizable groups on their polymeric chains, making them sensitive to pH and ionic strength. This study combined experiments and modeling to characterize anionic hydrogels. Mechanical tests and gravimetric analyses were performed to track hydrogel mass over time and at a steady state under varying pH and salt concentrations. The swelling ratio exhibited a bell-shaped curve with pH, reaching 120 in pure water, and decreased with increasing salt concentrations. Transient regimes showed slower swelling (~40 h) under pH stimulation compared to faster deswelling (~20 h) induced by salt. A fully coupled model integrating mass transport and solid mechanics was developed, with solvent diffusivity as the sole adjustable parameter in transient simulations. In conclusion, this study combined experiments and modeling to uncover complex mechanisms in PE behavior under two external stimuli, providing insights essential for designing advanced hydrogels.
More Related Videos
12:22Synthesis of Thermogelling Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-graft-chondroitin Sulfate Composites with Alginate Microparticles for Tissue Engineering
Published on: October 26, 2016
08:50Easy Manipulation of Architectures in Protein-based Hydrogels for Cell Culture Applications
Published on: August 4, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Real Gases: Effects of Intermolecular Forces and Molecular Volume Deriving Van der Waals Equation
Van der Waals Equation
First, the attractive forces between molecules, which are stronger at higher densities and reduce the pressure, are considered by adding to the pressure a term equal to the square of the molar density multiplied by a positive coefficient a. Second, the volume...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
The Kinetic Model of Gases
The Van der Waals Equation
Adsorption of Gases on Solids