Temperature Effect on Swelling Properties of Commercial Polyacrylic Acid Hydrogel Beads

Due to the fact that many application processes take place at different temperature, better examining and understanding of swelling properties as a function of temperature is essential for such application. The temperature effect on the swelling properties of commercial polyacrylic acid (PAA) hydrogel beads was investigated as a function of time and temperature. Gel bead size, swelling equilibrium capacity, diameter, weight, water retention, swelling ratio, welling degree and fractional hydration were studied to investigate the swelling properties of hydrogel bead at a given temperature. Diffusion type and its related parameters were studied and calculated. The kinetic model was applied on experimental data using second order model, the kinetic parameters were calculated. The maximum swelling ratio was calculated as 233.7 at 40 ˚C. In experiment of the swelling non- Fickian diffusion was found