Are there any examples of producing gels with swelling selection?5 answersVarious studies have explored the production of gels with swelling selection. Byun et al. demonstrated the swelling-driven deformation of gel sheets with spatial designs, showcasing how film thickness and pattern dimensions influence the deformation. Cohen et al. proposed an energy-based framework to understand gel equilibrium responses, highlighting how microstructural design can control the swelling process. Althans and Enders investigated the influence of acids and bases on the swelling behavior of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels, showing that properties vary based on the type and concentration of acids or bases used. Drozdov and Christiansen developed a model for copolymer gels' equilibrium swelling under different pH and salt concentrations, emphasizing the need for fine-tuning VPTT for controlled drug delivery applications. Seii et al. observed the temporary swelling suppression in gels by adding linear PEG in the surrounding water, indicating a stronger effect than conventional osmotic pressure.
How polar hydroxyl groups prevent swelling of hydrogel in oil?4 answersPolar hydroxyl groups in hydrogels play a crucial role in preventing swelling in oil due to their interactions with the oil phase. The presence of these hydroxyl groups, which are typically found in hydrogel structures, leads to an affinity towards water rather than oil, causing the hydrogel to resist swelling in an oil environment. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in applications such as oil recovery and wellbore sealing, where hydrogels need to maintain their structural integrity and functionality in the presence of oil. The hydrogel's response to environmental factors like temperature, pH, and electronic fields can also influence its swelling behavior, showcasing the dynamic nature of hydrogel interactions in different media.
How does osmotic pression affect hydrogels swelling?4 answersOsmotic pressure affects the swelling of hydrogels by determining the extent of their swelling. The competition between the force exerted by the hydrogel due to osmotic swelling and the confining force transmitted by the surrounding grains determines the extent of hydrogel swelling when confined in three-dimensional granular media. The osmotic swelling stress of hydrogels can be optimized by tuning the constituents and structures of the hydrogel, leading to an enhancement of the magnitude of actuation stress. The presence of dissolved macromolecules in the background liquid can reduce the degree of swelling by exerting an additional external osmotic pressure on the hydrogel material. Swelling hydrogels in osmotic pressure solutions can reduce the swelling ratio and equilibrium water content, increase the crystallization degree, and improve the compressive and friction properties of the hydrogels.
How does swelling affect the properties of hydrogels?5 answersSwelling affects the properties of hydrogels by causing uniform expansion and changes in material behavior. When hydrogels swell with water, they can experience internal stresses that lead to surface instabilities, rupture, or bursting events. The degree and kinetics of swelling depend on the physicochemical properties of the hydrogel network and the solvent. The presence of dissolved macromolecules in the solvent can affect the swelling behavior by modifying the osmotic pressure and solvent-polymer interactions. Swelling can also have negative consequences in certain applications, such as tissue engineering, where volume expansion can deteriorate the mechanical properties of the hydrogel and cause undesirable pressure on surrounding tissues. In addition, confinement in soil can reduce the ability of hydrogels to swell, as the extent of swelling is determined by the competition between osmotic swelling force and confining force. Overall, understanding the effects of swelling is crucial for controlling and optimizing the properties of hydrogels in various applications.
What is properties of cacl2 in hydrogel?1 answersCaCl2 in hydrogel exhibits several properties. It can provide anti-freezing capabilities, allowing the hydrogel to maintain flexibility and conductivity even at sub-zero temperatures. CaCl2 can also contribute to the moisture self-regenerative ability of the hydrogel, ensuring long-term water retention and stability. Additionally, CaCl2 can affect the rheological behaviors, gel properties, and paste viscosity of hydrogels, making them suitable for various applications in food and other industries. Furthermore, CaCl2 can enhance the hygroscopic swelling degree of hybrid hydrogels, making them effective desiccants. Finally, CaCl2 can be used in the synthesis of bioactive bone substitutes, promoting the formation of a hydroxyl apatite layer on the surface of the samples.
Why does hydrogel starch with Cacl2 immersed in water turn into a gel?4 answersWhen hydrogel starch with CaCl2 is immersed in water, it turns into a gel due to the crosslinking between the starch and Ca2+ ions. The addition of CaCl2 reduces the viscosity of the starch and affects its rheological behaviors, resulting in a gel-like consistency. The crosslinking process leads to a decrease in peak viscosity, trough viscosity, final viscosity, and breakdown viscosity of the starch. It also increases the pasting temperature and gelatinization enthalpy of the starch. Furthermore, the CaCl2 treatment affects the structural properties of the starch, resulting in more organized crystallites in the starch granules. These changes in the starch structure and properties contribute to the formation of a gel when the CaCl2-treated starch is immersed in water.