Response of ferrogels subjected to an ac magnetic field

When a ferrogel, which is chemically cross-linked polymer networks swollen with a ferrofluid, consisting of magnetic particles having nonlinear characteristics is subjected to an alternating current (ac) magnetic field, the magnetic response will generally consist of ac fields at frequencies of the higher-order harmonics. By using a perturbation approach, we investigate nonlinear ac responses of ferrogels, under an ac magnetic field either coupled with a dc magnetic field or not. It is shown that it is possible to detect the volume fraction and shape of particles in ferrogels by measuring such ac responses. Our results are very well understood in spectral representation and are favorably compared with the experimental observations of suspensions being beyond ferrogels.     

Swelling of polyacrylamide gels in polyacrylamide solutions

Swelling behavior of polyacrylamide (PAAm) and polyacrylamide-co-polyacrylic acid (PAAm-co-PAAc) gels was investigated in aqueous solutions of monodisperse PAAms with molecular weights (M_w) ranging from 1.5 × 10³ to 5 × 10⁶ g/mol. The volume of the gels decreases as the PAAm concentration in the external solution increases. This decrease becomes more pronounced as the molecular weight of PAAm increases. The classical Flory–Huggins (FH) theory correctly predicts the swelling behavior of nonionic PAAm gels in PAAm solutions. The polymer–polymer interaction parameter χ₂₃ was found to decrease as the molecular weight of PAAm increases. The swelling behavior of PAAm-co-PAAc gels in PAAm solutions deviates from the predictions of the FH theory. This is probably due to the change of the ionization degree of AAc units depending on the polymer concentration in the external solution. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1313–1320, 1998     

Swelling properties of particles in amphoteric polyacrylamide dispersion

Swelling properties of amphoteric polyacrylamide (AmPAM) dispersions were investigated by measurements of apparent viscosity and particle morphology. AmPAM dispersion was prepared by dispersion polymerization in aqueous solution of ammonium sulphate. Changes of particles during dispersion polymerisation of AmPAM were simulated and compared with anionic and cationic polyacrylamide (APAM and CPAM, respectively). Sample viscosity and particle morphology were obtained using a rotational viscometer and optical microscope. It was found that small molecules or ions enter and swell particles in the AmPAM dispersion when (NH₄)₂SO₄ concentration decreases. Similarly, monomers, including acrylamide, acrylic acid, and methacrylatoethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, have the same effects on the AmPAM dispersion but the effect degree is different. Swelling properties of the AmPAM dispersion were different from those of the APAM and CPAM dispersions due to their different ionic nature, type of stabiliser, media, etc. Particles in the APAM or CPAM dispersions were swelled less than those in the AmPAM dispersion.     

Swelling of ferrogels of poly(acrylic acid) with ferric oxide nanoparticles stabilized by chitosan

The processes of swelling of poly(acrylic acid) ferrogels prepared via radical polymerization in an aqueous suspension of ferric oxide nanoparticles with the weighted average size of 23.5 nm obtained by laser evaporation method and stabilized by chitosan (М = 5.3 × 10⁵ and degree of deacetylation of 62%) are studied. The swelling of washed ferrogels depends on the content of chitosan and decreases abruptly at a polymer concentration exceeding 1 g/L. At a chitosan concentration above 1 g/L, the chemical network of poly(acrylic acid) is formed on the fluctuation network of chitosan in solution. As pH increases, these ferrogels are contracted owing to formation of an interpolymer complex of chitosan with poly(acrylic acid) subchains.     

Swelling of polyacrylamide gels in aqueous solutions of ethylene glycol oligomers

Addition of a small amount of ethylene glycol oligomers (OEG), with the number of repeat units y = 2–4, in an aqueous solution leads to the contraction of both linear and cross-linked poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) chains. The results present clear evidence for the screening effect of OEG on the ionic groups of the polymer chains. Measurements indicate that the pre-swollen poly (acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) gels immersed in aqueous OEG solutions are at equilibrium. However, as the molecular weight of OEG increases, these gels cannot attain their equilibrium swelling ratio due to the appearance of non-equilibrium structures. The stability of these structures increases as the initial swelling degree of the gels increases.     

Study on superabsorbent composite. III. Swelling behaviors of polyacrylamide/attapulgite composite based on acidified attapulgite and organo-attapulgite

A novel kind of salt-resistant superabsorbent composite, polyacrylamide/attapulgite, from acrylamide (AM) and attapulgite (APT) was prepared by free-radical aqueous polymerization, using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. The organification of APT with hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMABr) was proved by FTIR and XRD. The effects of acidified APT (H⁺-APT), organo-APT (HDTMABr-APT) and the content of APT in the superabsorbent composite on the water absorbency and the initial swelling rate for the superabsorbent composite in distilled water and in various saline solutions were studied. The effects of incorporated HDTMABr-APT and H⁺-APT on the reswelling ability of the superabsorbent composites were investigated. The results indicate that the incorporation of APT had remarkable influence on the improvement of water absorbency and swelling rate of the composites. Comparing with the composite doped with H⁺-APT, the water absorbency for the composite doped with 10 wt% HDTMABr-APT was enhanced from 2140 g g⁻¹ to 2800 g g⁻¹ in distilled water and from 100 g g⁻¹ to 121 g g⁻¹ in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, respectively. The water absorbency of the composites in various saline solutions decreased with the increasing concentration, especially for the multivalent cations. In addition, the reswelling ability of the superabsorbent composites is also improved evidently by adding a small amount of HDTMABr-APT into the composite, comparing with that of incorporated with H⁺-APT.     

Structural parameters of polyacrylamide hydrogels obtained by the Equilibrium Swelling Theory

In this paper, the synthesis and structural characterization of a series of polyacrylamide hydrogels with different degrees of reticulation are reported. Although the Equilibrium Swelling Theory was recognized as a simple and reliable tool for the determination of structural hydrogels network parameters like equilibrium degree of swelling, cross-link ratio and mesh size, this is the first application of this methodology for polyacrylamide hydrogels. By changing the total monomer content in the synthesis solution (%T) from 5 to 30%, at a fixed value of cross-linker content in the total monomer amount (%C) of 5%, the final parameter obtained, the mesh size, can be tuned from 2 to 0.3 nm. It was also possible to change the mesh size (0.19-0.35) by varying %C from 5 to 12% (at %T = 20%). Scanning Electron Microscopy images for the most different formulations are shown and corroborate data obtained from the theory.     

Field-flow fractionation of magnetic particles in a cyclic magnetic field

Although magnetic field-flow fractionation (MgFFF) is emerging as a promising technique for characterizing magnetic particles, it still suffers from limitations such as low separation efficiency due to irreversible adsorption of magnetic particles on separation channel. Here we report a novel approach based on the use of a cyclic magnetic field to overcome the particle entrapment in MgFFF. This cyclic field is generated by rotating a magnet on the top of the spiral separation channel so that magnetic and opposing gravitational forces alternately act on the magnetic particles suspended in the fluid flow. As a result, the particles migrate transversely between the channel walls and their adsorption at internal channel surface is prevented due to short residence time which is controlled by the rotation frequency. With recycling of the catch-release process, the particles follow saw-tooth-like downstream migration trajectories and exit the separation channel at velocities corresponding to their sedimentation coefficients. A retention model has been developed on the basis of the combined effects of magnetic, gravitational fields and hydrodynamic flow on particle migration. Two types of core-shell structured magnetic microspheres with diameters of 6.04- and 9.40-μm were synthesized and used as standard particles to test the proposed retention theory under varying conditions. The retention ratios of these two types of particles were measured as a function of magnet rotation frequency, the gap between the magnet and separation channel, carrier flow rate, and sample loading. The data obtained confirm that optimum separation of magnetic particles with improved separation efficiency can be achieved by tuning rotation frequency, magnetic field gradient, and carrier flow rate. In view of the widespread applications of magnetic microspheres in separation of biological molecules, virus, and cells, this new method might be extended to separate magnetically labeled proteins or organisms for multiplex analyte identification and purification.     

Effect of a magnetic field on thermostimulated chemiluminescence

Conclusions Effects, associated with relaxation of the spins and the rates of the electronic transitions as a function of the spin states, which determine the sensitivity of processes to an external magnetic field, can be observed in thermally stimulated chemical reactions.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2355–2356, October, 1974.     

Swelling and contraction of ferrocyanide-containing polyelectrolyte multilayers upon application of an electric potential

We developed a new platform at the interface of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) and electroactive polymers (EAPs) by combining the easy buildup of PEM thin films and the deformation characteristics of the EAPs. The PEM films were made of poly(L-glutamic acid) (PGA) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). After [Fe(CN)6]4- ions (FCIV) were added, cyclic voltammetry (CV) was performed, resulting in a reversible expansion and contraction of the film. The shape change as well as the film buildup prior to the cycling were monitored in situ using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (EC-QCM-D). Electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) images confirmed the rapid shape deformation. The process takes place in an aqueous environment under mild conditions (maximum potential of 600 mV and no pH change), which makes it a promising tool for biomedical applications. In addition, the electrochemically active films are produced using the layer-by-layer (LbL) method that is already established in biotechnology and biomaterials science; therefore, the presented approach can be readily adapted in these areas, bringing about a new possibility for the nanoscale dynamic control of coating thickness in various applications.     

Spin dynamics of the radical pair in a low magnetic field studied by the transient absorption detected magnetic field effect on the reaction yield and switched external magnetic field

The spin dynamics of the radical pair generated from the photocleavage reaction of (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)diphenylphosphine oxide (TMDPO) in micellar solutions was studied by the time-resolved magnetic field effect (MFE) on the transient absorption (TA) and by a novel technique, absorption detected switched external magnetic field (AD-SEMF). Thanks to the large hyperfine coupling constant (A = 38 mT), a characteristic negative MFE on the radical yield was observed at a magnetic field lower than 60 mT whereas a positive effect due to the conventional hyperfine (HFM) and relaxation mechanisms (RM) was observed at higher magnetic field. The negative effect can be assigned to the mechanism "so-called" low field effect (LFE) mechanism and has been analyzed thoroughly using a model calculation incorporating a fast spin dephasing process. The time scale of the spin mixing process of LFE studied by AD-SEMF is shorter than the lifetime of the recombination kinetics of the radical pair. These results indicate that the LFE originates from the coherent spin motion. This can be interfered from the fast spin dephasing caused by electron spin interaction fluctuations.     

Study of gel formation by a water-containing composition based on a polyacrylamide solution and nitrocellulose

The gel formation process in compositions based on an aqueous polyacrylamide solution, wastes of nitrocellulose production, and a hardening system was studied. Technological conditions of the gel formation process in the compositions under study providing the absence of the filling agent sedimentation and of the system layering were determined.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation studies of polyacrylamide solution

 The cohesive interaction among polymer chains in a polyacrylamide (PAAm)–D₂O solution has been studied by NMR relaxation. The NMR relaxation times of PAAm in the good solvent D₂O were measured at different temperatures. The results show that the solution system has a high local viscosity and that its relaxation characteristic is soft-solid-like. The temperature dependence of the relaxation behavior of the solution is obviously different from that of ordinary polymer solutions. The difference lies in the relaxation behavior of the methylene protons in the main chain of PAAm, as shown by analyzing the relaxation process with single exponential and biexponential decays. As the temperature increases, the solvation is weakened, leading polymer chains to form curling coils, thus hindering the movement of the methylene protons among the main chains. It can be expected from the existence of 80% fast-relaxing protons that there are a zhigh number of entanglements among the polymer chains in PAAm solution. The information about entanglements among the polymer chains can be deduced from the biexponential dependence of the spin–spin relaxation on the concentration of the polymer solutions. Received: 14 April 1999/Accepted in revised form: 12 October 1999     

Inhomogeneous electrodeposition of copper in a magnetic field

Normally, magnetoconvection driven by the Lorentz force increases the limiting current in the mass-transport limited regime, roughly as the one-third power of the applied magnetic field. Here we show that an applied field can actually diminish the rate of copper electrodeposition at low overpotentials. The effect is related to the formation of a vortex at the leading edge of the flow. Similar, but weaker effects are due to gravity.     

The aggregation of ferrocolloids in a magnetic field

The structure of chain aggregates forming in a low-concentration monodisperse ferrocolloid in a uniform permanent magnetic field was studied. The configuration integral of a flexible fluctuating chain of arbitrary length was calculated using the matrix method of coordinate system rotation with allowance made for the dipole-dipole interaction of the magnetic moments of nearest ferroparticles. The equilibrium distribution over aggregate chain lengths was determined from the condition of minimum of the free energy functional. It was shown that, even for infinitely diluted ferrofluids, an increase in the strength of external magnetic field led to a noticeable lengthening of chain aggregates at strong interparticle magnetodipole interaction. This results in faster (compared to Langevins law) growth of the magnetization of a system in weak and intermediate fields.Translated from Kolloidnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 66, No. 6, 2004, pp. 766–774.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Ivanov.     

Orientation of semiflexible biopolymers in a magnetic field

A theory is presented to explain the stretching and orientation of a semiflexible chain such as the biopolymeric filamentous actin and deoxyribonucleic acid in a magnetic field. Both dilute and concentrated solutions are considered. The theory predicts the requirement of a high magnetic field to achieve a high degree of orientation in a dilute solution. The experimental value of the order parameter for a dilute, polydisperse F‐actin solution has been compared with the theoretical value. On the other hand, a molecular field (nematic liquid crystal) which exists in a concentrated solution can achieve the same effects of stretching and orientation and can be assisted by a magnetic field. Sources of diamagnetic anisotropy in biopolymers have been cited. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 3256–3270, 2000     

Synthesis and Swelling Properties of Thermosensitive Hydrogels based on Terpolymerization

Novel thermosensitive hydrogels based on polymerization of N-isopropyl acrylamide, Sodium acrylate, and diacetone acrylamide were synthesized, The swelling ratio and dynamic swelling were investigated. The results indicated that the hydrogels exhibited high water uptake and themosensitivity. The swelling properties and volume phase transition temperature could be adjusted by contents of the comonomers in the gels.     

Effects of a static magnetic field on water and electrolyte solutions

Water and electrolyte solutions were exposed for 5 min to a weak static magnetic field (B = 15 mT). Their conductivity and the amount of evaporated water were then measured as a function of time. Simultaneously, these quantities were determined for magnetically untreated samples, as reference systems. It was found that a magnetic field influences these two parameters and their changes depend on the thermodynamic functions of hydration of these ions. A roughly linear change in conductivity versus 'scaled' functions was obtained. On this basis it was concluded that the magnetic field causes changes in the hydration shells of the ions.     

Targeting a channel coating by using magnetic field and magnetic nanofluids

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this paper, the magnetic nanofluids and magnetic field are used to provide a coating around the wall of a channel. The magnetic field is induced by...     

Swelling and water transport in temperature-sensitive hydrogels based on 2-methoxyethylacrylate

A series of thermoresponsive hydrogels based on copolymers of 2-methoxyethylacrylate with acrylamide or N,N-dimethylacrylamide were prepared by radiation-induced polymerization in dimethylformamide solution in the presence of a crosslinking agent. The swelling behaviour of the hydrogels was studied by immersing the polymer samples in water at 5°C, 10°C and 37°C. The data were found to satisfactorily fit Fick's law with a constant diffusion coefficient. The results indicate that the swelling ratio increases with increasing the content of the hydrophilic monomers in the hydrogels and at the same time the equilibrium swelling time decreases. The effect of temperature on water transport mechanism was observed.