Synthesis and swelling characteristics of zwitterionic hydrogel

Abstract

Hydrogels comprising of zwitterionic repeat units were synthesized. The amine groups of the poly (ester amine) were quaternized with 1,3-propane sultone. The gelation was observed on treatment with sultone. The hydrophilic gel thus formed is sensitive to temperature, pH, ionic strength and nature of electrolytes in aqueous solution. In absence of any electrolyte, the extent of swelling decreased with temperature, but in the monovalent salt solution the equilibrium swelling diminished with temperature and the contrary behaviour was experiential in bivalent electrolytes.