SUPER WATER-RETAINER HYDROGELS - CROSS-LINKED ACRYLAMIDE SUCCINIC ACID COPOLYMERS/

Super water-retainer hydrogels in the rod form were prepared by copoly merization of acrylamide and succinic acid monomers with gamma radiati on. Swelling took place in water at 25 degrees C and was followed by w eighing. The influence of dose and relative content of succinic acid o n the swelling properties, diffusional behavior of water, diffusion co efficients and network properties of hydrogel systems were examined. A crylamide/succinic acid hydrogels were swollen in the range of 750-960 %, while polyacrylamide hydrogels at 650-700%. Water diffusion into hy drogels was non-fickian type diffusion. Diffusion coefficients of acry lamide/succinic acid hydrogels were calculated by the short time appro ximation as 4.6 x 10(-7)-7.9 x 10(-7) cm(2)s(-1).