MEASUREMENT OF THE SWELLING FORCE IN IONIC POLYMER NETWORKS .3. SWELLING FORCE OF INTERPOLYMER COMPLEXES

The swelling force of interpolymer complexes formed by graft polymeriz ation of poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacylate on poly(methacrylic aci d) was measured as a function of time in various pH buffered solutions . The forces exerted in the uncomplexed and complexed samples decrease d as the molecular weight of the PEG graft increased. The results were analyzed to determine the contributions of chain relaxation and diffu sion on the swelling force. In general, the swelling force developed w as controlled by the relaxation process of the macromolecular chains i ndicating a significant deviation from pure Fickian swelling behavior.