ABSTRACT
“Hydrogel Network Parameters” by Sina Naficy and Geoffrey Spinks discusses the impact of topological factors in swollen polymer networks on their mechanical and physical properties. With a fundamental approach toward polymer networks, this chapter explains how the molecular structure of polymer gels determines their properties at the macroscale. Correlations are established using thermodynamics of polymeric systems between molecular parameters of a gel (e.g. distance between two adjacent crosslinking points) and its macro behaviour, such as its modulus, toughness, swelling ratio, and diffusion coefficient. The effect of external mechanical deformation applied to the gel on its state of swelling has also been discussed.
