BUBBLE-FILM NETWORK STRUCTURES OF RADIATION SYNTHESIZED TERPOLYMER HYDROGELS

Three series of terpolymer poly(AM-NaA-NTBA) hydrogels were synthesize d by Co-60-gamma ray radiation polymerization in aqueous solutions. Th eir micro network structures observed by SEM displayed the bubble-film networks. However, with increase in N-tertiary butyl acrylamide (NTBA ) units from integral(NTBA)=0.052 to 0.144 in terpolymer hydrogels, th e lattice size of bubble-film network became larger and larger, a doub le layer structure between adjacent bubble films appeared in SEM micro graphs of some terpolymers. The results are discussed from the existen ce of the steric hindrance effect of tertiary butyl group and the two opposite forces in the chain segments of terpolymers. The swelling kin etics of terpolymers at different acetone concentrations of aqueous so lutions was investigated by examining the formation of bubble-film net work terpolymer hydrogel.