Effects of the Junction Functionality and Chain Entanglements in Chemomechanical Behavior of Polyelectrolyte Gels. (26th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Lianhua; Yang, Qingsheng; Yang, Chunhui
• Other Names: Holovatch Yurij Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Advances in condensed matter physics. Volume 2015(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-05-26
• Subjects: Condensed matter -- Periodicals; Condensed matter; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1155/2015/345810
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-8124

Abstract

Abstract : By considering the functionality of junctions and entanglements of polymer chains for polyelectrolyte gels, a new free energy density function is presented via combining Edwards-Vilgis slip-link model with Flory-Huggins theory. On this basis, the effects of the functionality of network junctions and entanglements of polymer chains are systematically analyzed for free swelling of a cubic polyelectrolyte gel and constrained swelling of a blanket layer of the gel. Analytical results show that the functionality of junctions and chains entanglements plays an important role in the coupled chemomechanical deformation of polyelectrolyte gels.