Elasticity of polymer gels: Effect of solvent quality on the shear modulus of poly(vinyl acetate) networks

The dependence of the shear modulus and of the swelling equilibrium concentration of polyvinylacetate gel homologues in equilibrium with excess isopropyl alcohol is investigated in the temperature range 30≤T≤70°C. At the theta temperature (T=52°C) the volume elastic modulus was also determined and compared with the shear modulus. The results are interpreted in terms of a free-energy function derived on the basis of the network unfolding hypothesis.