Cold crystallization of water in hydrated poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA)

The structure of water associated with poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) , which is known to exhibit excellent blood compatibility, has been investi gated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The total equilibrium water content (EWC) of PMEA was 9.0wt%. Water in the PMEA could be classifi ed into three types: non-freezing, freezing-bound and free water. Cold crys tallization of water was clearly observed at about -42 degreesC on heating when the water content was more than 3.0wt%. Cold crystallization is attrib uted to the phase transition from the amorphous ice to the crystal ice in P MEA. The relative proportions of freezing-bound water at the EWC is 48 % of all the water in hydrated PMEA. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.