Hydrogels of crosslinked poly(1‐glyceryl methacrylate) and poly(2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylamide)

Abstract Two hydrophilic polymer networks of different crosslinking density and varying reference degree of swelling were prepared from 2,3‐dihydroxypropyl methacrylate (glyceryl methacrylate) and N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide. They were characterized by swelling and compression measurements, and the Flory‐Huggins interaction parameters were determined. The results reveal the importance of hydrophobic forces in the physical properties of poly(1‐glyceryl methacrylate). Poly(2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylamide) gels do not exhibit the presence of these specific effects.