Polyelectrolyte CASA hydrogels for uptake of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions

In this study, uranyl ion adsorption from aqueous solutions has been investigated by chemically crosslinked acrylamide/sodium acrylate (CASA) hydrogels. Adsorption studies were investigated by the spectroscopic method. CASA hydrogels with various compositions were prepared from ternary mixtures of acrylamide (A), sodium acrylate (SA), and water by free radical polymerization in aqueous solution, using multifunctional crosslinkers such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Uranyl ion adsorption from aqueous solutions was studied by the batch sorption technique at 25°C. The effect of uranyl ion concentration and mass of adsorbent on the uranyl ion adsorption were examined. In experiments of sorption, L‐type sorption in the Giles classification system was found. Some binding parameters, such as initial binding constant (K_i), equilibrium constant (K), monolayer coverage (n), site‐size (u), and maximum fractional occupancy (Ô) for the CASA hydrogel–uranyl ion binding system, were calculated using the Langmuir linearization method. Finally, the amount of sorbed uranyl ion per gram of dry hydrogel (q) was calculated to be 4.44 × 10^?4–14.86 × 10^?4 mol uranyl ion per gram for CASA hydrogels. Adsorption of uranyl ion (percentage) was changed within a range of 12.86–46.71%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 200–204, 2007     

Synthetic polymeric absorbent for dye based on chemically crosslinked acrylamide/mesaconic acid hydrogels

Adsorption properties of copolymers of acrylamide and mesaconic acid (CAME) in aqueous Basic Blue 12 (Nile blue chloride) solution have been investigated. Chemically crosslinked CAME hydrogels with various compositions were prepared from ternary mixtures of acrylamide (A), mesaconic(ME) acid, and water by free radical polymerization in aqueous solution, using a multifunctional crosslinker such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Dynamic swelling tests in water was applied to the hydrogels. Weight swelling ratio (S) values have been calculated. Sorption of Basic Blue 12 (BB 12) onto CAME hydrogels was studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. In the experiments of the sorption, L type sorption in the Giles classification system was found. Some binding parameters such as initial binding constant (K_i), equilibrium constant (K), monolayer coverage (n), site‐size (u), and maximum fractional occupancy (Ô) for CAME hydrogels‐BB 12 binding system were calculated by using Klotz, Scatchard, and Langmuir linearization methods. Finally, the amount of sorbed BB 12 per gram of dry hydrogel (q) was calculated to be 2.28 × 10^?6–7.91× 10^?6 mol BB 12 per gram for hydrogels. Sorption % was changed range 16.09–58.86%. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 405–413, 2006     

Uranyl Ion Uptake from Aqueous Solutions by Chemically Cross-linked Polyelectrolyte CAMA Hydrogels

Uranyl ion adsorption from aqueous solutions has been investigated by chemically cross-linked polyelectrolyte acrylamide/maleic acid (CAMA) hydrogels. CAMA hydrogels with various compositions were prepared from ternary mixtures of acrylamide (A), maleic acid (MA), and water by free radical polymerization in aqueous solution using multifunctional cross-linkers such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate (BDMA). Uranyl ion adsorption from aqueous solutions was studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. The effect of uranyl ion concentration and mass of adsorbent on the uranyl ion adsorption were examined. In the experiments of the sorption, L type sorption in the Giles classification system was found. Some binding parameters such as initial binding constant (K _i ), equilibrium constant (K), monolayer coverage (n), site-size (u), and maximum fractional occupancy (Ô) for CAMA hydrogel-uranyl ion binding system were calculated by using Langmuir linearization method. Finally, the amount of sorbed uranyl ion per gram of dry hydrogel (q) was calculated to be 3.29 × 10^?4 ? 15.87 × 10^?4 mol uranyl ion per gram for CAMA hydrogels. Adsorption of uranyl ion was changed range 8.17–48.10%.     

Behaviors of polyelectrolyte AAm/AMPS/bentonite composite hydrogels in uptake of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions

Uranyl ion (UO₂²⁺) sorption properties of polyelectrolyte composite hydrogels made by the polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) with 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and clay such as bentonite (Bent) were investigated as a function of composition to find materials with swelling and uranyl ion sorption properties. Highly swollen AAm/AMPS hydrogels and AAm/AMPS/Bent composite hydrogels were prepared by free radical solution polymerization in aqueous solutions of AAm with AMPS as co‐monomer and two multifunctional crosslinkers such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 1,4 butanediol dimethacrylate (BDMA). Swelling experiments were performed in water at 25°C, gravimetrically. The influence of AMPS content in hydrogels was examined. Uranyl ion adsorption from aqueous solutions was studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. The effect of uranyl ion concentration and mass of AMPS on the uranyl ion adsorption were examined. Finally, adsorption capacity (the amount of sorbed uranyl ion per gram of dry hydrogel) (q) was calculated to be 0.67 × 10⁻³–2.11 × 10⁻³ mol uranyl ion per gram for the hydrogels. Removal effiency of uranyl ions (RE%) was changed range 9.05–29.92%. The values of partition ratio (K_d) of uranyl ions was calculated to be 0.10–0.43 for AAm/AMPS hydrogels and AAm/AMPS/Bent composite hydrogels, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Behaviors of Chemically Crosslinked CAAMPS Hydrogels in Uptake of Uranyl Ions from Aqueous Solutions

Uranyl ion adsorption from aqueous solutions has been investigated by chemically crosslinked (C) polyelectrolyte acrylamide/2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (CAAMPS) hydrogels. CAAMPS hydrogels with various compositions were prepared from ternary mixtures of acrylamide (A), 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and water by free radical polymerization in an aqueous solution using multifunctional crosslinkers such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 1,4 butanediol dimethacrylate (BDMA). The swelling equilibrium of polyelectrolyte copolymer gels containing of CAAMPS hydrogels has been studied as a function of copolymer composition. Swelling experiments were performed in water at 25°C, gravimetrically. The influence of AMPS content in hydrogels was examined. The weight-swelling ratio of CAAMPS hydrogels was increased up to 127.03 (for 300 mg AMPS and crosslinked by EGDMA) and 93.32 (for 300 mg AMPS and crosslinked by BDMA), while acrylamide hydrogels swelled up to 10.27 (crosslinked by EGDMA) and 10.06 (crosslinked by BDMA). Uranyl ion adsorption from aqueous solutions was studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. The effect of uranyl ion concentration and mass of AMPS on the uranyl ion adsorption were examined. In the experiments of the sorption, L type sorption in the Giles classification system was found. Finally, the amount of sorbed uranyl ion per gram of dry hydrogel (q) was calculated to be 0.67 × 10^?3–2.11 × 10^?3 mol uranyl ion per gram for CAAMPS hydrogels. Removal effiency of uranyl ions (RE%) was changed range 9.05–29.92%. The values of partition ratio, (K _d ) of uranyl ions was calculated to be 0.10–0.43 for CAAMPS hydrogels.     

Swelling and dye sorption studies of AAm/SA hydrogels crosslinked by glutaraldehyde and divinylbenzene

Highly swollen acrylamide (AAm)/sodium acrylate (SA) hydrogels were prepared by free radical solution polymerization in aqueous solution of AAm with SA as comonomer and two multifunctional crosslinkers such as glutaraldehyde (GL) and divinylbenzene (DVB). Water absorption and percentage swelling were determined gravimetrically. The influence of SA content in hydrogels was examined. Percentage swelling ratio of AAm/SA hydrogels was increased up to 2946–12,533%, while AAm hydrogels swelled up to 1326–1618%. The values of equilibrium water content of the hydrogels are between 0.9297–0.9921. Diffusion behavior was investigated. Water diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non‐Fickian in character. Adsorption properties of AAm/SA hydrogels in aqueous thionin solution have been investigated. Finally, the amount of sorbed thionin per gram of dry hydrogel (q_e) was calculated to be 4.81 × 10^?6?11.69 × 10^?6 mol thionin per gram for hydrogels. Removal efficiency (RE%) of the AAm/SA hydrogels was changed range 37.03–68.82%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Adsorption of phenazine dyes using poly(hydroxamic acid) hydrogels from aqueous solutions

Swelling and adsorption properties of poly(hydroxamic acid), (PHA) hydrogels in aqueous solutions of some phenazine dyes such as Neutral Red, Safranin T, and Janus Green have been investigated. PHA hydrogels containing N,N′ methylenebisacrylamide or ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate were used in experiments on swelling, diffusion and adsorption of the dyes. The equilibrium swelling (S_eq) values of PHA hydrogels in aqueous solutions of the phenazine dyes were calculated as 2.16–33.25 g g^?1. Swelling kinetic parameters such as initial swelling rate, swelling rate constant, and maximum swelling were found. Dye diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non‐Fickian in character. Diffusion coefficients are ranged 1.32 × 10^?6 cm² s^?1 ? 44.70 × 10^?6 cm² s^?1. Adsorption of the phenazine dyes onto PHA hydrogels was studied by batch technique. PHA hydrogels in the phenazine dye solutions showed the dark coloration. The data was found that Freundlich isotherm model fits. According the Freundlich constants, the adsorption isotherms are of S‐type in Giles classification. All swelling and binding parameters for PHA‐EGDMA were found to be higher than those for PHA‐NNMBA. The type of crosslinker influenced the swelling, binding, and sorption more than the type of dye. Finally, it can be said that PHA hydrogels may be used a sorbent for removal of dyes. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:310–318, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A study on water and dye sorption capacities of novel ternary acrylamide/sodium acrylate/PEG semi IPN hydrogels

Here, a novel ternary semi interpenetrating polymer networks (semi IPNs) have been synthesized. An effective role to develop mechanically strong polymeric materials has been through the preparation of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs). The highly swelling superabsorbent semi IPNs were prepared by introducing poly(ethylene glycol), (PEG) into an acrylamide/sodium acrylate, (AAm/SA) hydrogels. For swelling characterization, swelling experiments were performed in water at 25 °C, gravimetrically. Water uptake and dye sorption properties of AAm/SA hydrogels and AAm/SA/PEG semi IPNs were investigated as a function of chemical composition of the hydrogels. AAm/SA hydrogels and AAm/SA/PEG semi IPNs were used in experiments on sorption of water-soluble cationic dye such as “Janus Green B” (JGB). For sorption of JGB into AAm/SA hydrogels and AAm/SA/PEG semi IPNs were studied by batch sorption technique at 25 °C. For the analysis of sorption mechanism and for calculation of some binding parameters of JGB from aqueous solutions, some linearization methods such as Klotz, Scatchard, and Langmuir linearization methods have been used.     

Swelling Characterization of Polyelectrolyte Poly(Hydroxamic Acid) Hydrogels in Aqueous Thiazin Dye Solutions

In this study, swelling behavior of polyelectrolyte poly(hydroxamic acid) (PHA) hydrogels have been investigated in aqueous thiazin dye solutions. PHA hydrogels were prepared by free radical polymerizations of acrylamide with some cross-linkers such as N,N′ methylenebisacrylamide (NBisA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA); then they were used in experiments on swelling and diffusion of some water-soluble cationic dyes such as methylene blue (MB), thionin (T), and toluidin blue (TB). Swelling experiments were performed in water at 25°C, gravimetrically. The equilibrium swelling percent (S%) values of PHA hydrogels were calculated as 238–2705%. Some swelling kinetic parameters such as initial swelling rate, swelling rate constant, and maximum (theoretical) swelling percent were found. Diffusional behavior of dye solutions was investigated. Dye diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non-Fickian in character. Diffusion exponent (n) is over 0.50. For sorption of thiazin cationic dyes, MB, T, and TB to PHA hydrogels were studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. PHA hydrogels in the dye solutions showed the dark coloration. In the experiments of the adsorption, S-type adsorption in the Giles classification system was found.     

Water and dye sorption studies of novel semi IPNs: Acrylamide/4‐styrenesulfonic acid sodium salt/peg hydrogels

In this study, it has been investigated that the incorporation of poly(ethylene glycol), (PEG) and 4‐styrenesulfonic acid sodium salt, (NaSS) into acrylamide, (AAm) hydrogel during free radical solution polymerization synthesis. Poly (ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate, (PEGDMA) was used as a multifunctional crosslinker in polymerization. The main purpose of this study was to combine both monomers and a polymer in a new polymeric system. Dye sorption properties of hydrogels and semi IPNs were investigated by using cationic dye such as Union Green B (Janus Green B, UGB). Swelling and sorption studies were carried out at 25°C. For structural characterization, FTIR analysis was made. The equilibrium percentage swelling (S_eq%) ranges are 660–1330% for AAm/NaSS hydrogels and 580–1310% for AAm/NaSS/PEG semi IPNs. To determine the sorption behaviors of cationic dye UGB, some sorption parameters such as sorption capacity (q), adsorption percentage (Ads%) and partition coefficient (K_d) of the hydrogels were investigated. Binding characterization has been studied by Langmuir linearization method. The sorption capacity values of the hydrogel systems were changed between 1.24 × 10^?4 and 4.05 × 10^?4 mol g^?1. The values of Ads% of the hydrogels were changed among 18?67%, and the values of K_d of the hydrogels were between 0.22 and 2.02. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Swelling and diffusion characteristics of novel semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogels composed of poly[(acrylamide)‐ co‐(sodium acrylate)] and poly[(vinylsulfonic acid), sodium salt]

A series of novel semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of poly[(acrylamide)‐co‐(sodium acrylate)] with varying amounts (5, 10, and 15 wt%) of poly[(vinylsulfonic acid), sodium salt] was synthesized. The semi‐IPN hydrogels were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. The swelling behavior of these IPNs was studied in distilled water/physiological solutions/buffer solutions/salt solutions. As the amount of poly[(vinylsulfonic acid), sodium salt] increased in the network, the swelling capacity of the semi‐IPNs increased considerably. The swelling and diffusion characteristics such as water penetration velocity (v), diffusion exponent (n), and diffusion coefficient (D) were calculated in distilled water, as well as in other physiological solutions. The highest swelling capacity was noted in urea and glucose solutions. The semi‐IPN hydrogels followed non‐Fickian diffusion behavior in water and physiological fluids, whereas Fickian behavior was observed in buffer solutions. The stimuli‐responsive characteristics towards physiological fluids, salt concentration, and temperature of these semi‐IPN hydrogels were also investigated. The swelling behavior of the semi‐IPNs decreased markedly with an increase of the concentration of the salt solutions. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Polyisoprene modified poly(alkyl acrylate) foam as oil sorbent material

Biorenewable polyisoprene latex obtained from natural rubber, Hevea brasiliensis, was used to prepare the reusable polyisoprene–poly(alkyl acrylate) foam for petroleum‐based liquid absorption. The foam was produced via latex vulcanization and cured by steaming. The effect of various types of poly(alkyl acrylate) such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA), and poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) on oil sorption capacity of the foam were studied. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed interconnected open‐cell macrostructure with the foam porosity greater than 75% and good compression set. The oil sorption capacity of the foam was in the range of 2.0–16.6 g g^?1. The addition of poly(alkyl acrylate) enhanced hydrophobicity and oil sorption capacity of the foam. The absorbed oil was easily recovered by squeezing and the foam can be reused up to 30 sorption–desorption cycles and still preserve high quality sorption. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42688.     

Behavior of semi IPN hydrogels composed of PEG and AAm/SMA copolymers in swelling and uptake of Janus Green B from aqueous solutions

Semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi IPN) hydrogels of poly(ethylene glycol; PEG) were prepared as a water adsorbent for dye (Janus Green B) sorption. For this, PEG and copolymer of acrylamide/sodium methacrylate (AAm/SMA) were prepared by polymerization of aqueous solution of acrylamide (AAm), sodium methacrylate (SMA) using ammonium persulfate (APS)/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) as redox initiating pair in presence of PEG and poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) as crosslinker. FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify the presence of different repeating units in the semi IPNs. Some swelling and diffusion characteristics were calculated for different semi IPNs and hydrogels prepared under various formulations. Water uptake and dye sorption properties of AAm/SMA hydrogels and AAm/SMA/PEG semi IPNs were investigated as a function of chemical composition of the hydrogels. Janus Green B have used in sorption studies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Thermodynamics of complex formation of polyacrylic acid with poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) and chitosan

Summary Interpolymer complexing of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) with poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) as well as with chitosans (CHI) of various chain lengths was studied at different temperatures by pH measurements. The degree of conversion (), the complex stability constant, K, and the thermodynamic parameters of these reactions were evaluated. Complexing proceeds cooperatively in both systems and values of near unity are obtained for the higher molecular weight samples. The variation of K with for the PAA-CHI system indicates that this complex comprises long sequences of bound pairs of monomer units.     

Swelling and Adsorption Properties of Hydrophobic Poly[(N‐(3‐(dimethylamino)propyl)methacrylamide)‐co‐(lauryl acrylate)] Hydrogels in Aqueous Solutions of Surfactants

Summary: The swelling and adsorption behavior of a series of hydrophobic poly[(N‐(3‐(dimethylamino)propyl)methacrylamide)‐co‐(lauryl acrylate)] [P(DMAPMA‐co‐LA)] hydrogels was studied as a function of temperature in aqueous solutions of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). Between 0 and 41.7 mol‐% of lauryl acrylate (LA) were used as a hydrophobic comonomer in the hydrogel synthesis. In SDS solutions, the equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels decreased with increasing temperature. At SDS concentrations below 0.0083 M , the hydrogels exhibited an almost linear swelling behavior. However, for SDS concentrations above 0.0083 M , non‐linear swelling behavior was observed in the range 28–36 °C. In contrast to the SDS solutions, in all DTAB solutions the equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels increased with increasing temperature and a positive temperature sensitive property was shown for all P(DMAPMA‐co‐LA) hydrogels. The adsorption capacities of the hydrogels in aqueous solutions of SDS and DTAB were determined via surface tension measurements. An increase in the LA content in the hydrogel caused an increase in the amount of adsorbed surfactant molecules in both media.

Effect of the DTAB concentration on the adsorption capacities of P(DMAPMA‐co‐LA) hydrogels.     

Adsorption of surfactant by hydrophobically modified poly[2‐(diethylamino)ethylmethacrylate‐co‐N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone/octadecyl acrylate)] hydrogels and effect of surfactant adsorption on the volume phase transition

Hydrophobically modified poly[2‐(diethylamino)ethylmethacrylate‐co‐N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone/octadecyl acrylate) [P(DEAEMA‐co‐NVP/OA)] hydrogels were synthesized by free‐radical crosslinking copolymerization of 2‐(diethylamino)ethylmethacrylate (DEAEMA), N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NVP) with different amounts of hydrophobic comonomer octadecyl acrylate (OA) in tert‐butanol with ethylene glycole dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker. The swelling equilibrium of the hydrogels was investigated as a function of temperature and hydrophobic comonomer content in aqueous solutions of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). The results indicated that the swelling behavior and temperature sensitivity of the hydrogels were affected by the type and concentration of surfactant solutions. Additionally, the amount of the adsorbed SDS and DTAB molecules onto the hydrogels was determined by fluorescence measurements. An increase of OA content in the hydrogel caused an increase in the amount of adsorbed surfactant molecules in both media. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3771–3775, 2007     

Water Uptake Kinetics and Control Release of Agrochemical Fertilizers from Nanoclay-Assisted Semi-interpenetrating Sodium Acrylate-Based Hydrogel

Semi-interpenetrating composite hydrogels composed of poly(acrylic acid-co-sodium acrylate)/polyethylene glycol for the controlled release of fertilizers were synthesized by using nano-phyllosilicate. Hydrogel was characterized by infrared spectral analysis (Fourier transform infrared), X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The cross-link density (ρ_c), average molecular weight between cross-links (M_c), and the mesh size of the network (?) were also determined. The degree of neutralization of acrylic acid component has a positive impact in the swelling behavior of hydrogel, which was investigated through its swelling study and pH-oscillatory behavior. The dependency of synthesis parameters, pH and ionic strength on swelling characteristics were investigated. The type of the diffusion phenomena was investigated by calculating various kinetic parameters such as the diffusion coefficient, diffusion rate constant, swelling exponents, etc. The swelling ratio with varying synthetic parameters was recorded to investigate fourth-order factorial model. The model gives the idea of the effect of the independent parameters on the swelling ratio.     

A new composite sorbent for water and dye uptake: Highly swollen acrylamide/2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid/clay hydrogels crosslinked by 1,4‐butanediol dimethacrylate

A novel type of highly swollen hydrogels based on acrylamide (AAm) with 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and clay such as bentonite (Bent) crosslinked by 1,4‐butanediol dimethacrylate (BDMA) was prepared by free radical solution polymerization in aqueous media. Water uptake and dye sorption properties of polyelectrolyte AAm/AMPS hydrogels and AAm/AMPS/Bent composite hydrogels were investigated as a function of composition to find materials with swelling and sorption properties. FTIR analyses were made. Swelling experiments were performed in water and dye solution at 25°C, gravimetrically. Highly swollen AAm/AMPS and AAm/AMPS/Bent hydrogels were used in experiments on sorption of water‐soluble monovalent cationic dye such as Lauths violet “LV, (Thionin).” Swelling of AAm/AMPS hydrogels was increased up to 1,920–9,222% in water and 867–4,644% in LV solutions, while AAm hydrogels swelled 905% in water and swelling of AAm/AMPS/Bent hydrogels was increased up to 2,756–10,422% in water and 1,200–3,332% in LV solutions, while AAm/Bent hydrogels swelled 849% in water. Some swelling kinetic and diffusional parameters were found. Water and LV diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non‐Fickian in character. For sorption of cationic dye, LV into AAm/AMPS and AAm/AMPS/Bent hydrogel was studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. The amount of the dye sorbed per unit mass removal effiency and partition coefficient of the hydrogels was investigated. The influence of AMPS content in the hydrogels to sorption was examined. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and characterization of novel pH‐sensitive binary grafted polymeric blends of gelatin and poly(vinyl alcohol): Water sorption and blood compatibility study

In this study, we attempted the synthesis and characterization of novel biocompatible hydrogels of binary polymeric blends of crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) grafted onto poly(vinyl alcohol) and gelatin by a redox polymerization technique. The end polymer was characterized by IR spectral analysis, differential scanning calorimetry measurements, and scanning electron microscopy. The prepared smart, environment‐responsive hydrogels, containing polyelectrolyte domains, were assessed for their water sorption potential under various experimental conditions and were further used to evaluate important network parameters such as the crosslink density, number of elastically effective chains, and molecular mass between crosslinks. The diffusion mechanism of the solvent–polymer interaction was also analyzed to predict the behavior of continuously relaxing chains containing several carboxylate ions. The blood compatibility of premeditated hydrogels was also judged by in vitro methods such as protein adsorption, blood clot formation, and hemolysis percentage assay measurement. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 599–617, 2006