KINETICS OF SWELLING OF COMPRESSED CELLULOSE MATRICES - A MATHEMATICAL-MODEL

Purpose, A model for swelling time course of compressed cellulose matr ix is presented. Methods, The model incorporates the two most importan t features: water penetration by diffusion and volume change due to sw elling. Approximations of the model for small t values and for large t values are also derived, which are utilized in a handy routine for es timation of swelling parameters. Results, The observed time courses of thickness change with compressed matrices of methyl cellulose and hyd roxypropyl cellulose agree well with the calculated values of the prop osed model. Conclusions, The proposed model is compatible with the obs erved swelling kinetics.