Bulk Modulus of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Microgels Through the Swelling Transition

Authors

B. Sierra-Martin, Georgia Institute of TechnologyFollow
Y. Laporte, Georgia Institute of Technology
A. B. South, Georgia Institute of Technology
L. Andrew Lyon, Chapman UniversityFollow
A. Fernandez-Nieves, Georgia Institute of Technology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2011

Abstract

We report measurements of the bulk modulus of individual poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels along their swelling transition. The modulus is determined by measuring the volume deformation of the microgel as a function of osmotic pressure using dextran solutions. We find that the modulus softens through the transition, displaying a nonmonotonous behavior with temperature. This feature is correctly reproduced by the theory of Flory for polymer gels, once the concentration dependence of the solvency parameter is properly incorporated.

Comments

This article was originally published in Physical Review E, volume 84, issue 1, in 2011. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.84.011406

Recommended Citation

Sierra, M., B.; Laporte, Y.; South, A. B.; Lyon, L. A.; Fernandez-Nieves, A., Bulk modulus of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels through the swelling transition, Physical Review E 2011, 84 (1), 011406. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.84.011406

Copyright

American Physical Society