Phase equilibria in polymer/solvent systems. Part V: Thermodynamic theory of the swelling pressure equilibrium of a crosslinked substance with a solvent in various phases

A thermodynamic theory has been developed to define the swelling pressure equilibrium between a homogeneous gel and a pure solvent, where phase transitions of the solvent, such as evaporation and crystallization can occur. It is shown that the equilibrium curve, which describes the temperature dependence of the composition in the gel phase under the condition of a constant swelling pressure, has distinct bends at the transition temperatures. These bends are related to the enthalpies of transition of the pure solvent at the transition temperatures. As a consequence of the phase transition of the solvent the swelling pressure-temperature curve at constant composition of the gel shows a discontinuous behavior at the transition point. Numerical calculations with a modified Flory-Huggins expression, based on results of swelling and deswelling measurements of the system crosslinked PEG/water, are presented.The discussion includes natural systems, which are in the gel state, where water may crystallize in the extracellular space.