Modeling Investigation of Volume Variation Kinetics of Fast Response Hydrogels

Abstract

Fast response hydrogels have attracted great attention recently. Three kinds of models with different complexity are available in the literature to investigate their volume variation kinetics. A phenomenal model based on second‐order reaction kinetics provides a simple method to correlate the experimental kinetic data. A power law model can be employed to evaluate different volume variation mechanisms according to the diffusion exponential coefficient. The multi‐field model incorporates mechanical deformation with the diffusion of ion species. The volume variation rate is dependent on both hydrogel molecular design and operation conditions.

Keywords:

• Hydrogels
• Volume variation kinetics
• Swelling rates
• Modeling and simulation