Microwave dielectric relaxation and molecular dynamics in binary mixtures of poly(propylene glycol) 2000 and poly(ethylene glycol)s of varying molecular weight in dilute solution

Molecular dynamics of binary mixtures of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) of varying molecular weight due to molecular interactions, chain coiling and elongation in dilute solution under various conditions, ie varying number of monomer units of PEG, method of mixing of polymers and solvent environment, has been explored using microwave dielectric relaxation times. The average relaxation time τ_o, relaxation time corresponding to segmental motion τ₁ and group rotations τ₂, of a series of binary mixtures of poly(propylene glycol) 2000 and poly(ethylene glycol) of varying molecular weight (ie PPG 2000 + PEG 200, PPG 2000 + PEG 300, PPG 2000 + PEG 400, and PPG 2000 + PEG 600 mixed by equal volume in the pure liquid states, and PPG 2000 + PEG 1500, PPG 2000 + PEG 4000 and PPG 2000 + PEG 6000 mixed equal weights in solvent) have been determined in dilute solution in benzene and carbon tetrachloride at 10.10 GHz and 35 °C. A comparison of the results of these binary systems of highly associating molecules shows that the molecular dynamics corresponding to rotation of a molecule as a whole and segmental motion in dilute solutions are governed by the solvent density when the solutes are mixed in their pure liquid state. Furthermore, the molecular motion is independent of solvent environment when the polymers are added separately in the solvent for the preparation of binary mixtures. It has also been observed that there is a systematic elongation of the dynamic network of the species formed during mixing of pure liquid polymers in lighter environment of solvent with increasing PEG monomer units, while the elongation behaviour of the same species in the heavier environment of carbon tetrachloride solvent is in contrast to the elongation behaviour of the polymeric species formed in pure PEG. The role of rotating methyl side‐groups in the PPG molecular chain has been discussed in term of the breaking and reforming of hydrogen bonds in complex polymeric species for the segmental motion. In all these mixtures, the relaxation time corresponding to group rotations is independent of the solvent environment and constituents of the binary mixtures. The effect of chain flexibility and coiling in these binary mixtures is discussed by comparing the relaxation times of the mixtures with their individual relaxation times in dilute solutions measured earlier in this laboratory. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dielectric behaviour and relaxation in poly(propylene glycol)–water mixtures studied by time domain reflectometry

Dielectric behaviour of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) of number‐average molecular weight 2000 g mol^?1 and binary mixtures of PPG with water (PPG–W) of various concentrations were carried out in the frequency range 10 MHz to 4 GHz at 25 °C. The dielectric dispersion and absorption curves related to the orientational motion of these molecules in the binary mixtures are described by a single relaxation time using Debye's model. The values of static dielectric constant ε_o, high frequency limiting dielectric constant ε_∞, and dielectric relaxation time τ_o were determined for PPG and PPG–W mixtures. The values of the dielectric parameters were used to explore the nature of homogeneous and heterogeneous dynamic networks formed through hydrogen bonding in the binary mixtures of PPG and water molecules with concentration variation. The dielectric studies of PPG molecules were also carried out in the same frequency range at four temperatures, namely 25, 35, 45 and 55 °C. The temperature‐dependent relaxation times were used to evaluate the thermodynamical parameters for the dielectric relaxation processes. The dielectric relaxation free energy of activation ΔF_τ for PPG molecules was found in the range ～4.5 to 4.7 kcal mol^?1, which corresponds to the activation energy needed for the breakage of hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the large negative value of the entropy ΔS_τ of PPG molecules confirms that the configuration involved in dipolar orientation has an activated state, which is more ordered than in the normal state. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dielectric properties of low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol)s

This paper reports the measured values of dielectric permittivity ε′ and dielectric loss ε″ of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and poly(ethylene glycol)s of average molecular weight 200, 300, 400 and 600 g mol⁻¹ in the pure liquid state. The measurements have been carried out in the frequency range 200 MHz to 20 GHz at four different temperatures of 25, 35, 45 and 55 °C. The complex plane plots (ε″ versus ε′) of these molecules are Cole–Cole arcs. The static dielectric constant ε₀, high‐frequency limiting dielectric constant ε_∞, average relaxation time τ₀ and distribution parameter α have been determined from these plots. The value of the Kirkwood correlation factor g and the dielectric rate free energy of activation ΔF have also been evaluated. The dependence of relaxation time on molecular size and viscosity has been discussed. A comparison has also been made with the dielectric behaviour of these molecules in dilute solutions of non‐polar solvents, which were carried out earlier in this laboratory. The influences of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and molecular chain coiling on the dielectric relaxation of these molecules have been recognized. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Solvent effects on microwave dielectric relaxation in poly(ethylene glycols)

This paper reports the results of a systematic study of microwave dielectric relaxation times of poly(ethylene glycols), average molecular weight 200–9000, in dilute solutions of benzene at 9·83GHz. These results are compared with the values of relaxation times obtained earlier in carbon tetrachloride solutions. This shows that the average relaxation times τ₀ and the relaxation time corresponding to segmental reorientation τ₁ are influenced by the solvent environment. The variation in chain flexibility in these polymers with the increase in degree of polymerization and formation of intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonding in benzene and carbon tetrachloride solutions is discussed with the help of relaxation data. The relaxation time τ₂ corresponding to group rotations has been determined. It is found that the τ₂ value is independent of solvent environment and degree of polymerization, and may be attributed to the rotation of chain −OH end-groups around the C−O bonds in dynamic equilibrium, with the formation of a five-membered ring due to intra-molecular hydrogen bonding at the end of the chain. © 1998 SCI.     

Study on conformational transition phenomena of poly(methyl methacrylate) in acetonitrile near theta conditions

The coil–globule transition for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been studied in a theta solvent, acetonitrile (Θ = 45 °C). The viscosity of PMMA was measured as a function of temperature in the range 26–55 °C. The contraction and expansion of the molecular chains are determined using the measured viscosity values. The temperature dependence of the intrinsic viscosity can be represented by a master curve in a versus |τ|M _w^1/2 (g^1/2 mol^−1/2) plot, where τ = |T − Θ|/T is the reduced temperature and M_w‐is the weight‐average molecular weight. A universal plot of reduced viscosity versus reduced blob parameter (N/N_c) shows the attainment of the collapsed state below the theta temperature. The dimensions of PMMA in acetonitrile (M_w = 3.15 × 10⁶ g mol⁻¹) decrease to 63 % at 26 °C of those in the unperturbed state. The results in this work are compared with those previously published. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dipole moments of poly(allyl methacrylate) prepared by group transfer polymerization

Dipole moments of poly(allyl methacrylate) prepared by group transfer polymerization and of allyl methacrylate were determined from dielectric constant, refractive index increment and density measurements performed on their dilute benzene and carbon tetrachloride solutions within a temperature range of 25–60°C. Dipole moments ratios and temperature coefficient, d ln〈μ²〉/dT, where 〈μ²〉 is the mean-square dipole moment of the chain, were calculated. These results are compared with earlier results.     

Microwave dielectric relaxation in binary mixtures of poly(ethylene glycols) in solution

The average relaxation time τ₀, relaxation times corresponding to segmental motion τ₁ and group rotations τ₂, of a series of binary mixtures of poly(ethylene glycols) (PEG 200+PEG 300, PEG 400+PEG 600, PEG 1500+PEG 4000, PEG 6000+PEG 9000, PEG 200+PEG 1500, PEG 300+PEG 4000, PEG 400+PEG 6000 and PEG 600+PEG 9000) have been carried out in dilute solutions of benzene and carbon tetrachloride at 9·83GHz. The effect on chain flexibility due to inter- and intra-molecular association in these binary mixtures is discussed by comparing relaxation times of these mixtures with their individual relaxation times in solution. It is inferred that the extent of hydrogen bonding in different binary mixtures is not similar and is influenced by solvent environment, but there is correlation between τ₀ and τ₁ values in all these binary mixtures, which may be because of hydrogen bonding. The observed τ₂ values in all these mixtures suggests that the chain-ends remain excluded from the intermolecular association and τ₂ is independent of the polymer constituents of the mixture and solvent. It is also equal to the τ₂ values of the individual polymers. © 1998 SCI.     

Dielectric relaxation and thermodynamic properties of polyvinylpyrrolidone using time domain reflectometry

Temperature‐dependent values of dielectric permittivity ε′ and dielectric loss ε″ of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, commercialized as PVP K‐60) solution of average molecular weight 160 000 g mol^?1 were measured. The measurements were carried out in the frequency range 10 MHz to 20 GHz using time domain reflectometry at temperatures from 25 to 0 °C. The dielectric spectra can be described by the Davidson‐Cole model. Dielectric parameters such as the static dielectric constant ε₀, the high frequency limiting dielectric constant ε_∞, the relaxation time τ₀ and the distribution parameter β and thermodynamic parameters such as the free energy of activation ΔF_τ, the enthalpy of activation ΔH_τ and the entropy of activation ΔS_τ were determined. The average free energy of activation was found to be in the range 12.55–14.65 KJ mol^?1 and the enthalpy of activation was found to be 6.86 KJ mol^?1. Entropies of activation were found to be positive at all the measured temperature values and these large positive values of entropies reveal a less ordered structure of the PVP solution. The Kirkwood correlation factor g and the dipole moment µ were also determined for PVP solution. The results were compared with the results of the PVP‐water system studied previously. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of poly(ethylene glycol) on the solid‐state polymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and end‐capped poly(ethylene glycol) (poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (PEGDME)) of number average molecular weight 1000 g mol^?1 was melt blended with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) oligomer. NMR, DSC and WAXS techniques characterized the structure and morphology of the blends. Both these samples show reduction in T_g and similar crystallization behavior. Solid‐state polymerization (SSP) was performed on these blend samples using Sb₂O₃ as catalyst under reduced pressure at temperatures below the melting point of the samples. Inherent viscosity data indicate that for the blend sample with PEG there is enhancement of SSP rate, while for the sample with PEGDME the SSP rate is suppressed. NMR data showed that PEG is incorporated into the PET chain, while PEGDME does not react with PET. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Separation of aqueous phenol through polyurethane membranes by pervaporation. III. Effect of the methylene group length in poly(alkylene glycols)

Separation of phenol from dilute aqueous solution through polyurethane membranes by pervaporation was investigated. The effect of the methylene group length in poly(alkylene glycols) on permselectivity and solubility of phenol was studied. The poly(alkylene glycols) were obtained by polycondensation of 1,6‐hexanediol, 1,8‐octanediol, and 1,10‐decanediol with a sulfuric acid catalyst. Polyethyleneglycol and polytetramethyleneglycol were commercially available. Progress of the polymerization in the poly(alkylene glycols) was confirmed by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR analysis, and SEC measurement. The polyurethanes were obtained by polyaddition reaction of 1,6‐hexamethylenediisocyanate and the poly(alkylene glycol), and were confirmed by FTIR analysis and SEC measurement. The phenol concentration in a permeate liquid increased from 25.1 to 36.2 wt %, and the phenol partial flux also increased from 49.3 to 68.9 g · m⁻² · h⁻¹ with increasing the methylene group length in the poly(alkylene glycols), whereas the water partial flux slightly decreased. As a result of sorption measurements, the change in the degree of swelling was small, and the phenol concentration in the membrane increased from 42.1 to 70.8 wt %. The increase in the methylene group length of the poly(alkylene glycols) should contribute to an increase in the hydrophobicity of the polyurethane so that the solubility of phenol to the membrane should increase. The phenol concentration in the permeate liquid and the phenol partial flux increased with an increase in the methylene group length of the poly(alkylene glycols) due to the increase in the phenol solubility for the polyurethane membranes. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 654–664, 2000     

Microwave dielectric relaxation and molecular dynamics in binary mixtures of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)–poly(ethylene glycol)s in non‐polar solvent

Dielectric relaxation study of binary mixtures of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) (M_w = 40 000 g mol^?1) and poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) (M_n = 200, 400 and 600 g mol^?1) with concentration variation was carried out in dilute solutions of benzene at 10.1 GHz and 35 °C. The average relaxation time τ_o, corresponding to segmental motion τ₁ and group rotations τ₂ was determined for PVP–PEGs mixtures. A comparison of these mixtures relaxation times was made with the relaxation times of PEGs in benzene solvent. The evaluated τ_o values of PVP–PEGs mixtures in benzene solution are assigned to the reorientation of PEG molecules. It has been observed that the τ_o value of PVP–PEG200 mixtures increases with increasing concentration of PVP but their values are small in comparison with the τ_o value of PEG200 molecules. In the case of PVP–PEG400 and PVP–PEG600 mixtures, the evaluated values of τ_o are greater than the corresponding τ_o values of PEG400 and PEG600 molecules in benzene solvent. The variation in τ_o values in these systems has been discussed by considering the stretching effect in the PEGs molecular chains in PVP–PEGs mixtures in benzene solutions. The high value of distribution parameter α (≈0.4 to 0.7) suggests that in these mixtures there is a large contribution of segmental motion and group rotations to the relaxation processes. The nature of the formation of hydrogen‐bonded PVP–PEG complex heterogeneous network due to hydrogen bonding between carbonyl groups of PVP monomer units and terminal hydroxyl groups of PEGs is discussed. Furthermore, the elongation behaviour of PVP–PEG complex networks in benzene solvent and the molecular dynamics in the mixture due to breaking and reforming of hydrogen bonds has been explored by comparing the evaluated relaxation times and the Kirkwood correlation factor of pure PEG molecules for their possible use in drug control release systems. The relaxation times of these mixtures are independent of their viscosity, but the elongation of the mixture network is influenced by the PEG chain length and the number of hydroxyl groups in comparison with the number of carbonyl groups in the mixtures. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Determination of exchange enthalpy and entropy parameters of the equation‐of‐state theory for poly(dimethyl siloxane) and some aromatic solvents by inverse gas chromatography

The specific retention volumes, V_g^o of toluene, ethyl benzene, n‐propyl benzene and isopropyl benzene on poly(dimethyl siloxane)(PDMS) were measured at temperatures between 333 and 403 K by inverse gas chromatography. The parameters of hard‐core interaction, χ_t^∞, effective exchange energy, X ₁₂, exchange enthalpy, X₁₂, and exchange entropy, Q₁₂ in the equation‐of‐state theory were determined. The parameters χ_t^∞ of the isopropyl benzene‐PDMS pair decreased from 0.65 to 0.60 while those of others decreased from around 0.77 to 0.69 with increasing temperature. The values of the parameters X₁₂ also decreased as molecular weight of the substituted aliphatic group on the benzene ring of the solvent increased, ie 15 J cm⁻³ in toluene and 5 J cm⁻³ in isopropyl benzene. Both X₁₂ and Q₁₂ show negligible dependence on temperature. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dielectric dispersion studies of poly(vinyl alcohol) in aqueous solutions

The dielectric constant ε′ and loss factor ε″ of deionized water and poly(vinyl alcohol) in aqueous solutions are measured in the frequency region 200 MHz to 20 GHz at four different temperatures (25, 35, 45 and 55 °C). Complex plane plots (ie ε″ vs ε′) are drawn to obtain the static dielectric constant ε₀, high frequency dielectric constant ε_∞, distribution parameter α and average relaxation time τ₀. The variations of dielectric constants with increasing solvent concentration and temperature are discussed in terms of solute–solvent and solute–solute interactions. The average relaxation time τ₀ of poly(vinyl alcohol) aqueous solutions is found to the very short. It is also observed that the relaxation time is almost independent of the viscosity of the solution. The effect of water concentration on macromolecular size, shape and flexibility of the molecular chain are discussed using the observed values of dielectric relaxation times at different temperatures. The possibility of multiple dielectric dispersion is also discussed with concentration variation. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modification of zein films by incorporation of poly(ethylene glycol)s

The thermal and mechanical properties of corn (maize) (CZ) films plasticized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of two different molar masses (400 and 1000 g mol⁻¹) were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), tensile strength, moisture absorption isotherms and water vapour transmission rate measurements. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of plasticized films is determined primarily by the amount of moisture contained in the film. DMTA data show contraction of films with loss of absorbed water during heating/cooling cycles. The moisture absorption behaviour of films plasticized with PEG400 and PEG1000 is similar at low relative humidities but significantly different at higher relative humidities. Incorporation of up to about 30 wt% PEG substantially enhances the tensile strength and the resistance to water vapour transmission of the protein film, and PEG1000 is more effective than PEG400. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Facile and controllable synthesis of hybrid silica nanoparticles densely grafted with poly(ethylene glycol)

We report that a mixture of good and poor solvents greatly enhances the grafting density of nanosized silica grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG ) by the ‘grafting to’ method. Methoxypolyethylene glycol (MPEG ) (molecular weight 750, 2000 and 4000 g mol^?1) was modified in a controlled manner to prepare epoxide terminated PEG (MPEG‐EO ). Silica nanoparticles were modified with N ‐(2‐aminoethy)‐3‐aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane through the silanization coupling reaction to obtain a well‐defined siloxane structure. MPEG‐EO was coupled to the modified silica by the reaction of their terminal groups in a mixed solvent (n ‐decane/toluene). The grafting density of MPEG‐EO was found to be controlled by the concentration of MPEG‐EO and the ratio of n ‐decane to toluene in the grafting system. Based on TGA , the maximum grafting density was found to be about 2.8, 1.47 and 0.76 chains nm^?2 for molecular weights of 750, 2000 and 4000, respectively, which is extremely high compared to previous reports. This high grafting density can be explained by the decreased chain dimension of PEG in the presence of the poor solvent. The method can be applied to other nanoparticles and polymers which can greatly enhance the application of SiO₂ nanocomposites. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Lithium ionic conductivity in poly(ether urethanes) derived from poly(ethylene glycol) and lysine ethyl ester

Poly(ether urethanes) obtained by the copolymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and lysine ethyl ester (LysOEt) are elastomeric materials that can be processed readily to form flexible, soft films. In view of these desirable physicomechanical properties, the potential use of these new materials as solid polymer electrolytes was explored. Solid polymer electrolytes were prepared with copolymers containing PEG blocks of different lengths and with different concentrations of lithium triflate (LiCF₃SO₃). Correlations between the length of the PEG block, the concentration of lithium triflate in the formulation, and the observed Li⁺ ion conductivity were investigated. Solid electrolyte formulations were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry for glass transition temperatures (T_g), melting points (T_m), and crystallinity. Ionic conductivity measurements were carried out on thin films of the polymer electrolytes that had been cast on a microelectrode assembly using conventional ac-impedance spectroscopy. These polymer electrolytes showed inherently high ionic conductivity at room temperature. The optimum concentration of lithium triflate was about 25–30% (w/w), resulting at room temperature in an ionic conductivity of about 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹. For poly(PEG₂₀₀₀-LysOEt) containing 30% of LiCF₃SO₃, the activation energy was ∼ 1.1 eV. Our results indicate that block copolymers of PEG and lysine ethyl ester are promising candidates for the development of polymeric, solvent-free electrolytes. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 1449–1456, 1997     

Carbonization of trichloroethanes with anhydrous potassium hydroxide

Chemical dehydrochlorination of 1,1,1‐ and 1,1,2‐trichloroethanes with anhydrous potassium hydroxide (KOH) in the presence of a poly(ethylene glycol) oligomer as phase transfer catalyst leads to polymeric carbons with partly carbynoid structures. The FTIR spectra show a strong band at 2130 cm⁻¹ and FT‐Raman exhibits a strong line at around 1900 cm⁻¹, either of which is interpreted as the CC C stretching mode of the linear carbon chain with alternating carbon–carbon triple and single bonds (polyyne). Carbons prepared by this technique are amorphous nanoparticles with diameters in the 30–50 range nm. After iodine doping they have dc conductivities of 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 185–189, 2000     

Structural effect of emulsifiers on the emulsion stability of a water/benzene mixture

Core–shell‐type microspheres with microphase‐separated shells of polystyrene (PS) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (microsphere_block: molar ratio: PS/PEG 49.1/45.9 mol %; M_w: PS chain: 1.07 × 10⁴, PEG chain 1.0 × 10⁴; the ratio of arm numbers of PEG to PS: 1.0; microsphere_graft: molar ratio: PS/PEG 33.8/55.9 mol %; M_w: PS chain: 1.54 × 10⁴, PEG chain 1.0 × 10⁴, the ratio of arm numbers of PEG to PS: 2.55) were synthesized by crosslinking of spherical domains of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) of the microphase‐separated films of poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐block‐polystyrene triblock terpolymer (M_n: 2.18 × 10⁴; molar ratio: PS 49.1 mol %, PHEMA 5.0 mol %, PEG 45.9 mol %) and polystyrene‐block‐[poly(4‐vinyl pyridine)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol)] block–graft copolymer (M_n: 4.56 × 10⁴; molar ratio: PS 33.8 mol %, P4VP 10.3 mol %, PEG 55.9 mol %; branch number of PEG: 2.55), respectively. The structures of microphase‐separated films were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The effects of the arm number ratio of PS to PEG and the total arm number on the stability of the water/benzene emulsion were investigated. The emulsion stability of oil in water was improved by using the microsphere synthesized with the microsphere_graft. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 321–331, 2004     

Dielectric relaxation and molecular dynamics in poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-ethyl alcohol mixtures in pure liquid state and in non-polar solvent

Dielectric relaxation and molecular dynamics in poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-ethyl alcohol (PVP-E) mixtures with varying concentration in pure state and also in very dilute solutions of benzene were studied for their molecular conformation at 35 °C. Dielectric permittivity ε′ and dielectric loss ε″ of PVP-E mixtures were measured by a time domain reflectometry technique in the frequency range 10 MHz to 10 GHz. The value of static dielectric constant ε₀, dielectric relaxation time τ, and dielectric free energy of activation ΔF_τ has been evaluated by fitting the complex dielectric data into Debye equation. The variation in ε₀ was discussed by considering the volume effect and the structuring effects of the PVP on ethyl alcohol molecules. The formation of cooperative domains between PVP and ethyl alcohol molecules, CD_PVP-E and between the ethyl alcohol-ethyl alcohol molecules CD_E and their dynamics in the PVP-E mixtures were explored by using the evaluated values of τ and ΔF_τ.The PVP-E mixtures of low PVP concentration were also studied in very dilute solutions of benzene at 10.1 GHz. The value of average relaxation time τ₀, distribution parameter α, and relaxation time corresponding to the motion of small multimer species of alcohol molecules τ₁ and group rotation τ₂ has been determined. It has been observed that in dilute solution of benzene the value of τ₀ and τ₁ increases with the increase in concentration of PVP in PVP-E mixture but the τ₂ value is found independent of the mixture constituent concentration. The entanglement of the CD_PVP-E and the increase in the length of CD_E in dilute solution of benzene due to dissociation of the complexes between carbonyl and hydroxyl groups has been explored. The value of τ₂ is assigned to the rotation of -OH group about C-O bond in the ethyl alcohol species in dynamic equilibrium with larger steric hindrance due to hydrogen bonding.     

Relaxational behavior and swelling‐pH master curves of poly[(diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐graft‐(ethylene glycol)] hydrogels

Poly[(diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐graft‐(ethylene glycol)] hydrogels were prepared with a molar ratio of 10:1 of diethylaminoethyl methacrylate to poly(ethylene glycol) of number‐average molecular weights (M_n) 200, 400 and 1000 g mol^?1 using tetra(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate to give a crosslinking ratio between 0.5 and 4.0 %. Glucose oxidase and catalase were immobilized in the matrix during polymerization. The maximum enzyme loading used was 6.6 × 10^?4 g of glucose oxidase per g of polymer. The equilibrium and dynamic swelling properties of these hydrogels were investigated. The pH‐dependent equilibrium swelling characteristics showed a sharp transition between the swollen and the collapsed state at pH 7.0. The dynamic response of the hydrogel discs to pH was analyzed in pulsatile pH conditions. The effects of particle size, crosslinking and molecular weight of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on the dynamic swelling response were investigated. The pulsatile nature of the response was analyzed using Boltzmann superposition. Swelling–pH master curves were obtained. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry