Study of different parameters on AAm/AMPS mean particle size microgels

Inverse emulsion copolymerization of acrylamide with AMPS was conducted. Effect of important parameters on mean particle size of these hydrogels was studied. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) result confirmed the occurrence of copolymerization between the two monomers. Optical microscopy images showed that higher crosslinker concentration resulted in the formation of small hydrogel particles. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM) spherical morphology of microgels was observed and it was shown that hydrophobic initiator resulted in smaller particle size than hydrophilic ones. It was also found that with increasing temperature the particle size gradually increases. Interestingly we found that mean particle size has a close relation with equilibrium swelling. Smaller mean particle diameter causes lower swelling capacity.

Keywords:

Hydrogel , Acrylamide , AMPS , Swelling , Inverse Emulsion