Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Which component of urine (“fake”) may have the greatest effect on the…
Which component of urine (“fake”) may have the greatest effect on the absorbing power of a hydrogel polymer?
-
Hydrogel Polymers
Hydrogel polymers are a type of polymeric material which has a three dimensional structure which is capable of absorbing and retaining large amounts of aqueous solutions.
Hydrogel polymers are formed when polymer chains are crosslinked, therefore creating a porous structure that absorbs and retains water from escaping its structure (ScienceDirect, 2023). When hydrogel polymers absorb high amounts of aqueous solutions, the material still maintains its structural integrity.
The polymer chains which make up hydrogel polymers have a hydrophilic nature which means that it is capable of interacting with water through hydrogen bonding. When the water molecules are attracted to the hydrogel polymer, it forms hydrogen bonds, which causes the hydrogel polymer to increase in size, appearing to swell up.
Used in applications in which high absorbtion is required while maintaining integrity of the material.
Hydrogel polymers have been proven to improve soil water retention (preventing water loss) and nutrients delivery in agriculture. They also help to reduce water usage, enhance crop yields and mitigate effects of drought.
Hydrogel polymers commonly exhibit biodegradable properties, making them highly suitable for biomedical applications. This includes tissue engineering, drug delivery systems and wound healing. Biodegradeable hydrogels are capable of degrading overtime into non toxic byproducts, removing the need for surgical removal.
Hydrogel polymers have vast environmental applications such as wastewaters treatment, pollutant removal and soil remediation (reversing damage). Hydrogel polymers are also capable of adsorbing contaminants including heavy metals, dyes and organic pollutants.
Hydrogel polymers are found in many consumer store products including items like dipers, moiturizing creams, cooking pads for fevers and sanitary pads.
The absorption of water into the hydrogel polymer has an equilibrium. This equilibrium occurs when the rate of water being absorbed is equal to the amount of water being released. Therefore the polymer chain structure cannot take in any more water, therefore releasing no water.
-
Absorbing Power
The absorbing power of hydrogel polymers refers to the material's ability to both absorb and retain aqueous solutions within their three-dimensional network structure of polymer chains.
This properties of absorbing power is the incredibly essential for the application of hydrogel polymers. This includes applications where moisture management, fluid retention and absorption of specific substances is important.
-
Dependent Variables
-
Mechanical Properties
It has been proven that hydrogel polymers with varying absorption display different mechanical properties under pressure. Therefore, applying this knowledge, the various hydrogel polymers could be exposed to identical mechanical loads, therefore determining the absorption power of each trial.
Controlled Variables
pH of Fake Urine
pH level have strong influence on the absorbing power of hydrogel polymers, due to its influence on the polymers structural integrity and swelling behavior. Therefore, it is essential that the pH remains constant throughout all the different trials, in order to allow the impact of the independent variable to be directly associated with the hydrogel's absorbing power.
The pH level of human urine generally ranges from 4.5-8. Therefore the fake urine could be modified to the targeted pH level required in this range. pH level can be modified by using acids (citric acid) and bases (sodium hydroxide).
-
Experimental Setup
Utilizing the same experimental setup for each trial is essential in gathering reliable results. Changes to the experimental setup halfway through the experiment could result in varying absorption rates.
-
Uncontrollable Variables
Environemntal Conditions
Temperature: Dramatically high or low temperatures across all trials can impact the rate of chemical reactions, therefore affecting the swelling of the hydrogel polymers. Higher temperatures could potentially accelerate swelling while lower temperatures could slow it down. This therefore introduces another variable, leading to inaccurate results.
Humidity: Changes in humidity across all trials can vary the moisture content of the hydrogel samples, affecting their swelling behavior. Higher humidity leads to more water absorption while lower humidity leads to the removal of moisture from the hydrogel, systematically affecting all the trials.
-