Effect of Chain Flexibility on the Swelling and Collapse of Polymer Networks

Theoretical calculations on polymer networks obtained from strongly diluted solutions were carried out. Effect of the flexibility of chains on their swelling and collapse was analyzed. Conditions required for the experimental observation of collapse of uncharged networks were analyzed. The equilibrium solvent concentration was seen to be higher in cross linked systems than in the solution of a linear polymer. The degree of swelling was shown to decrease with increase in the chain flexibility.