SWELLING OF POLY[METHACRYLIC ACID-CO-POLY(OXYTETRAMETHYLENE) DIMETHACRYLATE]S

An equation of swelling equilibrium is derived for crosslinked copolymer including incomplete network structures, to be applied to the swelling data on copolymer of poly(oxytetramethylene) dimethacrylate (POTMDM) with methacrylic acid (MAA). Poly(MAA-co-POTMDM)s with Various monomer contents, is prepared by copolymerization in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The equation shows good applicability to the swelling behaviors of poly(MAA-co-POTMDM) for tetrahydrofuran (THF) and DMF systems. A difference in polymer-polymer interaction parameter between THF and DMF systems, derived from the results of curve fitting is explained in terms of dependence of polymer-solvent interaction parameter on crosslink density. (C) 1993 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.