Role of hydrogen bonding in hysteresis observed in sorption-induced swelling of soft nanoporous polymers.

ABSTRACT: Hysteresis is observed in sorption-induced swelling in various soft nanoporous polymers. The associated coupling mechanism responsible for the observed sorption-induced swelling and associated hysteresis needs to be unraveled. Here we report a microscopic scenario for the molecular mechanism responsible for hysteresis in sorption-induced swelling in natural polymers such as cellulose using atom-scale simulation; moisture content and swelling exhibit hysteresis upon ad- and desorption but not swelling versus moisture content. Different hydrogen bond networks are examined; cellulose swells to form water-cellulose bonds upon adsorption but these bonds do not break upon desorption at the same chemical potential. These findings, which are supported by mechanical testing and cellulose textural a

SUBMITTER: Chen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6115358 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature