Calcium carbonate composite hydrogel films: Particle packing and optical properties

Murat Guvendiren, Andre A. Soshinski, Robert J. Gambogi, Shu Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Composite hydrogel films are prepared by photocrosslinking of partially polymerized poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) prepolymer solution dispersed with aragonite precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) particles. The effects of PCC aspect ratio (AR, 4.2-6.6) and volume fraction (φ PCC) are studied with respect to the prepolymer viscosity, the maximum packing fraction (φ m), and optical properties. φ m obtained from Kreigher-Dougherty fitting is found to decrease with increasing AR of PCC particles, from φ m = 0.33 (AR = 4.2) to φ m = 0.21 (AR = 6.6). Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the particles are uniformly dispersed and randomly orientated in the polymer network when φ PCC < φ m. Optically transparent neat hydrogel films become opaque with increasing particle concentration and AR because of random light scattering from the PCC particles. A whiteness up to 80 is obtained from 100 μm thick composite hydrogel film in the wet state with PCC AR = 6.6 and φ PCC = 0.19 (near φ m).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1317-1324
Number of pages8
JournalPolymer Engineering and Science
Volume52
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2012
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Calcium carbonate composite hydrogel films: Particle packing and optical properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this