SWELLING CHARACTERISTICS OF AMPHIPHILIC POLYMER BRUSHES IN PURE AND MIXED-SOLVENT SYSTEMS

Amphiphilic polymer brushes are synthesized by the sequential graft copolymerization of crosslinked gelatin with methyl methacrylate and acrylic acid. Samples with varying lipophilic to hydrophilic ratio (L/H values) could be synthesized by adjusting the grafting conditions. Here we report the swelling behaviour of these systems in pure and mixed solvent systems. The swelling ratio is influenced by the L/H value of the material. The brush with L/H value close to 1 exhibits anomalous swelling. Mixed solvents appear to be better swelling media than pure solvents. We discuss these observations in the light of L/H values and the differential solvation of individual chains.