Preparation and Characterization of Alcogels Based on (Poly Ethylene Glycol Methyl Ether Methacrylate-Acrylic Acid) Copolymers

Alcohol absorbents based on poly ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) macromer and acrylic acid (AA) were prepared via solution polymerization using trimethyl propane triacrylate (TMPTA) as crosslinker. Swelling capacity of gels was measured in water, ethanol and methanol. Alcohol absorbency was increased with increasing AA content, which can be related to the ability of an AA segment in formation of H-bonding and dissociation of COOH groups to produce of mobile ions. The alcogels absorb ethanol and methanol up to 14.8 and 17.4g/g, respectively. TG analysis shows that increasing AA content caused an increase of thermal stability of alcogels.