Effect of temperature and pH on swelling behavior of hydroxyethyl cellullose-acrylamide hydrogel

The swelling behavior of hydroxyethyl cellulose-acrylamide hydrogels at different pH and temperatures was studied. The absorption increased for the first 12 hours and then decreased. Several hydroxyethyl cellulose-acrylamide ratios were studied. Increasing hydroxyethyl cellulose amount decreased swelling, indicating that swelling was affected by increase in crosslinking. Three different levels of crosslinking agent were studied. Hydrogels exhibited a thermal and pH sensitive behaviour. Highest swelling capacity was found at pH 7.0 and 30 oC. All samples were characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Characteristic absorbance peaks for both materials were found, showing the presence of hydroxyethyl cellulose and acrylamide on hydrogel.