Physics of polymer gels: Toyoichi Tanaka and after
Mitsuhiro Shibayama
Abstract
This review revisits the works of Toyoichi Tanaka on the physics of polymer gels and discusses their scientific significance with the keywords of volume phase transition, structure, dynamics, kinetics and inhomogeneities, followed by some recent topics including defect-free homogeneous gels. Then, the modern physics of polymer gels will be considered from the viewpoints of cross-linking, networking, and percolation, along with the scope of future directions of polymer gels and polymer networks.
Topics & Concepts
Polymer physicsPolymerPhase transitionVolume (thermodynamics)KineticsPolymer scienceStatistical physicsPhysicsMaterials scienceChemical physicsNanotechnologyThermodynamicsClassical mechanicsNuclear magnetic resonanceHydrogels: synthesis, properties, applicationsAdvanced Materials and MechanicsAdvanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization