Mechanical properties of network hydrogels of copolymers of ethylene glycol monomethacrylate

A study has been made of the mechanical properties of hydrogels of copolymers of ethylene glycol monomethacrylate (EGM) with N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP), with methacrylic acid (MAA) and with dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEM) crosslinked by ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. In addition, the properties of “semi-networks” —crosslinked ethylene glycol polymethacrylate (PMEG)/poly-N-vinylpryrrolidone (PVP) have been investigated. The change in mechanical properties (lower tensile strength, and lower elastic modulus and breaking elongation) as the degree of values for the EGM-MAA and EGM-DMAEM copolymers are similar. Crosslinking efficiency for EGM/VP copolymers and PMEG/PVP “semi-networks” decreases with increasing concentration of vinylpyrrolidone units. A higher degree of swelling of ionogenic hydrogens, if the ionic strength of the solution or the pH of a medium changes, results in a reduction in their tensile strength.