Volume phase transition of polymer gel in water and heavy water Original Research Article

We have investigated the deuterium isotope effect on the volume phase transition of a temperature-sensitive polymer gel (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel). The transition temperature of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel in heavy water is about 1°C higher than that in water. From the simulation based on a simple modified Flory–Rehner model, the deuterium isotope effect on the volume phase transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel is arising from the difference in the polymer–solvent interactions in water and heavy water.