Swelling characteristics of amphiphilic polymer brushes in pure and mixed solvent systems

Abstract

Amphiphilic polymer brushes are synthesized by the sequential graft copolymerization of crosslinked gelatin with methyl methacrylate and acrylic acid. Samples with varying lipophilic to hydrophilic ratio (L/H values) could be synthesized by adjusting the grafting conditions. Here we report the swelling behaviour of these systems in pure and mixed solvent systems. The swelling ratio is influenced by the L/H value of the material. The brush with L/H value close to 1 exhibits anomalous swelling. Mixed solvents appear to be better swelling media than pure solvents. We discuss these observations in the light of L/H values and the differential solvation of individual chains.