Patterns of shrinking gels
Article Abstract:
Polymer gels exhibit a variety of shrinking patterns when subjected to volume phase transition. These patterns, which take the form of phase diagrams, display a polymorphism that probably derives from three factors: the creation of a dense impermeable layer, the accumulation of internal pressure and macroscopic phase separation under fixed volume. The polymer gels tested were cylindrical gels of acrylamide, 0.7 to 10 millimeters in diameter.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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Entropically driven microphase transitions in mixtures of colloidal rods and spheres
Article Abstract:
Research establishes the phase behaviour of colloidal rod-like and sphere-like particle mixtures in an environment designed to induce the mixture's 'hard' characteristics. Polystyrene latex or polyethylene oxide polymer particles were used as sphere-like particles. Evidence indicates that phase behaviour is caused and controlled by steric repulsion between particles.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Super-absorbency and phase transition of gels in physiological salt solutions
Article Abstract:
A non-ionic gel displays the super-absorbency of ionic gels when combined with ionized surfactants. Spherical surfactant micelles are formed, which behave much as the charged sites of an ionic gel. In the presence of salt, the micelles expand to an elongated shape and so maintain Coulomb repulsion along the polymer chains. This preserves the gel's swelling power.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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