Adhesion force behavior between two gels attached with an electrolytic polymer liquid

We conceived that the electrolytic polymer liquids could serve as effective glue for attaching gels one to another. To evaluate the adhesion effectiveness, the adhesion force was measured between two like-charged gels which were attached with unlike-charged polymer liquid. The adhesion force between anionic gels attached with cationic polymer liquid visibly increased with the increase of environmental pH, while the adhesion force between cationic gels attached with anionic polymer liquid visibly decreased. Based on the experimentally measured potential inside gels and their swelling ratios, the quantities of -COO- and -NH3+, respectively, contained in anionic and cationic gels were estimated. Consequently, we derived a conclusion that the adhesion force was caused by the formation of salt-linkages, -COO-center dot center dot center dot+H3N-, formed between gel surfaces and electrolytic polymer liquid. Furthermore, it was observed that the electrolytic polymer liquid served as an effective glue to adhere the particle gels one another. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.