Water uptake of hydrophilic polymers determined by a thermal gravimetric analyzer with a controlled humidity chamber
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Thijs, Hanneke M. L.; Becer, C. Remzi; Guerrero-Sanchez, Carlos; Fournier, David; Hoogenboom, Richard; Schubert, Ulrich S.
- Abstract:
- The moisture uptake of several water-soluble polymers at different humidities was investigated
with a thermal gravimetric analyzer equipped with a controlled humidity chamber. The water
sorption of poly(acrylic acid) sodium salt, poly(ethylene glycol) and silica, which are known as
super absorbers, were examined. In addition, various hydrophilic polymeric materials were
selected according to their structural features. These included hydroxyl functions on the side
chains (e.g. poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)), as well as acidic or basic functionalities (e.g. poly
(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) or poly(vinylimidazole)). In addition, poly(2-methyl-2-
oxazoline) (P(MeOx)) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (P(EtOx)), which are well-known hydrophilic
polymers, were also investigated in this context. More significant weight percent changes were
obtained for P(MeOx) (60% at 90% relative humidity (RH)) in comparison to P(EtOx) (35% at
90% RH) as a result of the slight difference in hydrophilicity of the structures. The effect of the
chain length on the ability for water uptake was also investigated for both poly(oxazolines).
Finally, thermoresponsive polymers with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior
(e.g. poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)) were also
examined. The measurements for the latter polymers were performed below and above the LCST
of each polymer whereby the humidities are varied from 0 to 90% with steps of 10%. Upon
increasing humidity, the results revealed relatively high water uptake values (8% and 22% for
P(NIPAM) and for P(DMAEMA), respectively) below the LCSTs of the polymers and,
contrastingly, a small weight loss above their LCSTs. The present results allow a deeper insight
into important structure–property relationships (e.g. the influence of the polymer backbone,
functional groups, LCST behavior, etc. on the water-uptake properties), and will in subsequent
steps permit the directed design of tailor-made polymers for selected applications.
- Year:
- 2007
- Type of Publication:
- Article
- Journal:
- Journal of Materials Chemistry
- Volume:
- 17
- Pages:
- 4864 - 4871