Hydrogels electrostatic interactions

Complicated theories of ionic gel swelling [99, 113, 114] must inevitably take into account the real electrostatic interactions, the finite extensibility of chains, as well as the electrostatic persistence length effect. Their application is most advisable in the case of strongly charged hydrogels [114]. 

Fig. 3 Formation of the core-shell type hydrogel nanoparticles by electrostatic interactions. The anionic solution which contains core polymer is introduced as a mist into a cationic solution of shell polymer. (Modified from Ref. l)...

Because the adsorption of proteins onto such thermally sensitive particles is salinity and pH dependent, the adsorption can be assumed to be governed principally by electrostatic interactions rather than hydrophobic adsorption process as generally reported. In any case, in view of these results, the driving forces in adsorption of proteins onto thermally sensitive hydrogel particles are debatable, and further research is necessary to demonstrate the driving forces involved in the adsorption process. 

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