Interpretation of equilibrium swelling data on model networks using affine and 'phantom' network models

Well-defined polystyrene model networks and poly(dimethylsiloxane) model networks have been synthesized by endlinking processes under standard conditions. The networks have been swollen to equilibrium in appropriate swelling solvents. The experimental swelling data have been compared with those arising from the affine model and the 'phantom' model. The results obtained allow us to calculate the interaction parameter between the swelling solvent and the network. This coefficient strongly depends upon several structural parameters, such as the functionality of the crosslinks, the molar mass of the elastic chains, the polymer volume fraction upon crosslinking and the nature of the swelling solvent. In most cases, satisfactory agreement has been found between experiment and theoretical expectations. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.