SWELLING CHARACTERISTICS OF AMPHIPHILIC POLYMER BRUSHES IN PURE AND MIXED-SOLVENT SYSTEMS

Amphiphilic polymer brushes are synthesized by the sequential graft co polymerization of crosslinked gelatin with methyl methacrylate and acr ylic acid. Samples with varying lipophilic to hydrophilic ratio (L/H v alues) could be synthesized by adjusting the grafting conditions. Here we report the swelling behaviour of these systems in pure and mixed s olvent systems. The swelling ratio is influenced by the L/H value of t he material. The brush with L/H value close to 1 exhibits anomalous sw elling. Mixed solvents appear to be better swelling media than pure so lvents. We discuss these observations in the light of L/H values and t he differential solvation of individual chains.