Xianzhi Chen1, Dong Niu1,*, Hongtao Gao1, Mu Du2,3,*
Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.22, No.6, pp. 1743-1760, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2024.058274
- 19 December 2024
Abstract Thermosensitive hydrogel can integrate vapor molecular capture, in-situ liquefaction, and thermal-induced water release for freshwater capture. This study aimed to examine the dynamic behavior of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) single chain and cross-linking thermosensitive hydrogel through molecular dynamics simulation. Specifically, the impact of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) on the conformation of polymer chain and the interaction between water and polymer chain were also investigated. The polymer chain conformation underwent a transition from coil to globule when the temperature exceeded the LCST, indicating the temperature responsiveness of PNIPAM. Additionally, thermosensitive hydrogel samples with different cross-linking degrees (DOC) More >
Graphic Abstract