Abstract
Different amounts of malonic acid (MAc) containing acrylamide (AAm) hydrogels were obtained in the form of rods via a radiation technique. Swelling experiments were performed in water at 25°C, gravimetrically. The influence of absorbed dose and malonic acid content of the hydrogels on swelling properties were examined. Diffusion behaviour and network parameters were investigated. Swelling of AAm/MAc hydrogels is increased up to ca. 900%, while pure AAm hydrogels swelled up to ca. 700%. Water diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non-Fickian in character. Diffusion coefficients of AAm/MAc hydrogels were calculated by the short time approximation and found to be 6.4 ×10−7–10.4 × 10−7 cm2 sec−1. A possible mechanism for AAm/MAc hydrogels was also suggested.