Papers by Keyword: pH-Sensitive Hydrogel

Abstract: A pH-sensitive semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogel based on Konjac glucomannan(KGM) and methylacrylic acid(MAA) was prepared by free radical polymerization at different concentrations of initiator potassium persulfate (KPS) in presence of crosslinker N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA). The chemical structure and rheological properties of hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR and rheometry, respectively. In addition, the swelling behavior of the hydrogels were studied in buffer solution at different pHs.

Abstract: Based on Donnan’s equilibrium, a simple chemo-mechanical model is developed to study the transient swelling behavior of the pH-sensitive hydrogel for design and optimization of smart hydrogel-based BioMEMS device. The model is mathematically composed of several governing equations, including Fick’s law which describes the diffusion process in the buffer solution, the fixed charge density formula associated with pH value of the buffer solution, and mechanical equation which gives the swelling ratio responding to pH. The model also considers several chemical conditions, including Donnan’s equilibrium condition which gives Donnan partitioning ratio relating to the concentrations of ionic species in the interior hydrogel and the external solution, the electroneutrality condition in the interior hydrogel and bathing solution as well. The model is capable of predicting the kinetics process of the smart hydrogel immersed in buffer solution with change in pH. The simulation of the diffusion-swelling behavior of the pH-sensitive hydrogel is presented, and the responsive deformation of the smart hydrogel to the solution pH is discussed in detail.