Determination of interaction parameter chi/sub 1/ for poly(vinyl alcohol) and water in gels crosslinked from solutions. [Electron beam irradiation]

The Flory interaction parameter chi/sub 1/ of poly(vinyl alcohol)--water systems has been estimated as a function of temperature and volume fraction of PVA, the polymer having been crosslinked from solutions of the same in water. Values are reported for temperatures between 0/sup 0/C and 90/sup 0/C and polymer volume fractions between 0.03 and 0.12.