Mechanochemical energy conversion of neutral polymer gels

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Abstract
Mechanochemical energy conversion exhibited by water‐swollen poly(vinyl alcohol) gels has been studied. The effective mechanical work produced as well as the chemical energy converted were measured simultaneously. It is shown theoretically and experimentally that the mechanical work developed during the swelling of the mechanochemical system increases with increase of the external load (m), the degree of cross‐linking (DC) and the deswelling ratio (ϕ/ϕe, i.e. the ratio of the volume fraction of network polymer (ϕ) to that of the same gel in equilibrium with pure diluent (ϕe)). The chemical energy converted was found to be practically independent of m. The efficiency of energy conversion increased with increase of m and DC, and significantly decreased with increase of ϕ/ϕe. Comparison is made between theoretical predictions and experimental findings.
Funding Information
  • Hungarian Academy of Sciences (1-3-86-229, OTKA No. 1204/86)

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