Volume phase transition in gels: its discovery and development

0532297 - ÚMCH 2021 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Dušek, Karel - Dušková-Smrčková, Miroslava
Volume phase transition in gels: its discovery and development.
Gels. Roč. 6, č. 3 (2020), s. 1-12, č. článku 22. E-ISSN 2310-2861
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA17-08531S
Institutional support: RVO:61389013
Keywords : volume phase transition * phase separation * gel
OECD category: Polymer science
Impact factor: 4.702, year: 2020
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/6/3/22

The history of volume phase transition of responsive gels from its theoretical prediction to experimental discovery was described and the major role of mixing Gibbs energy function in theoretical models was stressed. For detailed analysis and fine tuning of the volume phase transition, the generalized Flory–Huggins model with concentration and temperature dependent interaction function coupled with Maxwell construction as a tool is very suitable. Application of expansive stresses can uncover the potential of various swelling gels for volume phase transition. Experimentally, the abrupt, equilibrium-controlled phase transition is often hard to achieve due to passage of gel through states of mechanical instability and slow relaxation processes in macroscopic objects.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0310872