Abstract
AbstractA series of poly(sodium methacrylate) hydrogels, also called superabsorbents, having a theoretical degree of neutralization of 100 mol%, and degree of crosslinking varying from 0.6 to 20 mol%, are synthesized via conventional free radical polymerization. The networks are characterized in detail by inverse size‐exclusion chromatography and 1H‐NMR relaxometry in order to place particular emphasis on the investigation of the pore size distribution (PSD) and the chain mobility, respectively. The two previously mentioned parameters are compared to understand the correlation between the elastic chain mobilities and the average pore size of the hydrogel. From the resulting data, a new empirical equation is proposed, which is valid under the given experimental conditions and permits a rough estimation of the average PSD from the relaxation data. Thus, the equation permits to reduce the number of analytical techniques needed for the characterization of complex systems such as polymer networks.
Highlights
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are a class of materials used in numerous applications[1] that include diapers,[2] underwater cable insulations,[3] and waterreleasing agents for agriculture in dry to place particular emphasis on the investigation of the pore size distribution regions.[4]
Despite the importance of knowing the swelling ability of a material in the context of its further applications, this analysis does not provide any precise information on the microstructure or on the pore size of the hydrogel
The raw data and the final pore size distribution (PSD) for the hydrogel poly(sodium methacrylate) (PSMA)-DC5.0 are shown in Figure 3b,c, respectively, while the PSD of the other samples are depicted in the Figure S2, Supporting Information
Summary
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are a class of materials used in numerous applications[1] that include diapers,[2] underwater cable insulations,[3] and waterreleasing agents for agriculture in dry to place particular emphasis on the investigation of the pore size distribution regions.[4]. The two previously mentioned parameters are compared to understand the correlation between the elastic chain mobilities and the average pore size of the hydrogel. ISEC is compared to 1H-NMR relaxometry, which probes the mobility of the elastic chains and the PSD of the microstructure, respectively.
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