A transient simulation to predict the kinetic behavior of hydrogels responsive to electric stimulus

Abstract

A kinetic analysis of the response of electric-sensitive hydrogels to an externally applied electric field is conducted for the first time through modeling and transient simulation. This model, called the multieffect coupling electric stimulus (MECe), considers the effects of multiphases and multiphysics. Its extended application to transient simulation is validated against available experimental data, and good agreement is achieved. The concentration kinetics of ionic species is simulated. The simulation predicts the kinetic behavior of the hydrogels with consideration of the influences of important parameters such as the electric potential, fixed-charge density, bath solution concentration, and hydrogel average curvature. © 2006 American Chemical Society.