Network and thermodynamic properties of hydrogels of poly[1-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-vinyl-pyridinium-betaine]

Samples of poly[1-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-vinyl-pyridinium-betaine] (PSPV) have been synthesized to high conversion by free radical polymerization in aqueous solution of the zwitterionic monomer SPV with several concentrations of the crosslinker N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA). Hydrogels obtained by swelling them in water and aqueous KSCN solution were examined by gravimetric and dimensional analysis, and by compression–strain measurements. The derived effective crosslinking density νe was only ca. 11% of the theoretical value, indicating low efficiency of chemical crosslinking by MBA. At 298 K increasing content of MBA produces increases in the values of νe, elastic moduli and polymer–water interaction parameter χ. At a fixed MBA content, increasing temperature led to decreases in the values of νe, elastic moduli and χ, but an increase in water content of hydrogel. For swelling in aq. KSCN solution the mechanical properties are insensitive to content of salt. Experimental and theoretical analysis afforded values of the water/polymer, salt/water and salt/polymer interaction parameters. Where appropriate the findings are compared with those reported for a different zwitterionic hydrogel and a neutral non-zwitterionic hydrogel.