Characterization of Poly(2-Hyoroxyethyl Methacrylate) Gels

Abstract

The crosslinking density and pore sizes of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (polyHEMA) hydrogels have been measured and correlated with the diffusion characteristics of a solute through the polymer. Studies indicated that diffusion is hindered both by obstruction by the polymer chains and by the immobility of the solvent within the gel. Values for the diffusion coefficient of a solute, D, and interaction parameters between the solvent and polymer suggest that as the concentration of crosslinking agent in the polymer network increases, the hydrophohicity of the polymer and the mobility of the solvent in the gel increase. Increased crosslinking however, increases the effectiveness of the obstruction effect, and the overall effect is a reduction in D.