Complex formation of poly(methacrylic acid) hydrogels with linear poly(ethylene glycol) has been studied at different pH values and in the presence of an electric field. The fastest contraction of the gel samples was observed under simultaneous action of electric field and complex formation.
Dependence of the volume ratio V/V0 of PMAA sample on time: Sample in the absence of an electric field immersed in 0.1 M PEG solution at (1) pH 8.2, (2) at pH 5.1, and in the presence of an electric field (3) in water and (4) 0.1 M PEG solution at pH 5.1.
