Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.85, No.7, 1419-1428, 2002
Swelling kinetics of a hydrogel of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(acrylamide-co-styrene)
A hydrogel incorporating the hydrophilic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) and a copolymer of acrylamide and styrene was synthesized, and the dynamics of the water-sorption process were studied. The effects of the composition of the hydrogel and the temperature of the swelling medium were investigated with respect to the water-sorption characteristics of the hydrogel, and the kinetic parameters, including the swelling exponent and diffusion constant, were evaluated. The hydrogel was also judged for the antithrombogenic property of its surface. The experimental findings were explained on the basis of the core-shell polymeric structure of the hydrogel.