Rheological Properties of Hybrid Hydrogels of Weakly Charged Polyelectrolytes Crosslinked by Aluminoxane Particles

The rheological behavior of hybrid hydrogels of weakly charged polyelectrolytes with aluminoxane particles (APs) formed by noncovalent interactions has been studied. This interaction observed for the polyelectrolyte Praestol-2500 is the most pronounced and is due to strong electrostatic noncovalent bonds between positively charged APs and anionic groups of the copolymer. By the methods of capillary, rotational, and vibrational rheometry, it has been ascertained that two processes compete: the compacting of coils of macromolecules and their crosslinking through APs. The latter process dominates at relatively high concentrations of reagents, and depends on ratios between polymer units and APs and the presence of a low-molecular-mass indifferent electrolyte (NaCl). Formed hybrid hydrogels relate to physical gels with the unstable nature of the network of physical bonds, and under the action of shear stress demonstrate “Weissenberg effect.” The method of dynamic mechanical analysis with the use of a micro-Fourier rheometer has shown that the ratio storage modulus – loss modulus depends on the amount of AP sol and its ratio to the quantity of copolymer in the initial mixture. A scheme for spatial structure hybrid hydrogels has been suggested.