Adhesion between oppositely charged polyelectrolytes in salt solution. Issue 38 (18th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alfhaid, Latifah; Williams, Nicholas H.; Geoghegan, Mark
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied polymer science. Volume 137:Issue 38(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-02-18
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/app.49130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8995

Abstract

Abstract: The adhesion at the aqueous interface between a polyacid hydrogel and a grafted polycation layer (brush) is shown to be reversible on the addition of sodium chloride, which screens the charges on the gel and brush. Furthermore, it is shown that a double‐network (DN) hydrogel both exhibits adhesive failure and stronger adhesion with the brush than a simple poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) hydrogel, which undergoes cohesive failure on detachment. The adhesive force at the hydrogel–brush interface significantly increases after adding dilute salt solution (of 0.001 M). Once the concentration of salt solution is raised above 0.05 M, both the adhesive force and work done in detaching both single‐network and DN hydrogels from the brush surface are notably reduced. This result confirms that reversible adhesion between a hydrogel and polymer brush in salt solutions is possible, although a DN gel is required for adhesive failure. Abstract :