Reversible adhesion of hydrogels in aqueous media

摘要

This study represents a new step on the understanding of molecular mechanisms responsible of macroscopic adhesion of hydrogels. The difference of adhesive behaviors of unswollen and swollen hydrogels in wet environments can be explained by the dilution of the positive interactions during the swelling. Futhermore we showed that even at swelling equilibrium, the energy of adhesion can change due to polymer chains diffusion at molecular scale.