Swelling of thermosensitive interpenetrating polymer networks composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(acrylic acid)

The swelling behavior of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in water was studied. The PVA/PAA IPN gels were prepared by four synthetic methods. The swelling behaviors of these IPNs made by different methods were compared. The differences in swelling behaviors of samples are discussed on the basis of their structural and physical differences. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.