VOLUME PHASE-TRANSITION OF POLYMER GEL IN WATER AND HEAVY-WATER

We have investigated the deuterium isotope effect on the volume phase transition of a temperature-sensitive polymer gel (poly(N-isopropylacr ylamide) gel). The transition temperature of poly(N-isopropylacrylamid e) gel in heavy water is about 1 degrees C higher than that in water. From the simulation based on a simple modified Flory-Rehner model, the deuterium isotope effect on the volume phase transition of poly( N-is opropylacrylamide) gel is arising from the difference in the polymer-s olvent interactions in water and heavy water. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.