Dextran permeation through poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels.

The permeation of macromolecules such as fluoroescein-labeled dextran fractions through thermally reversible hydrogels has been investigated. A permeation model has been formulated, which takes into account hydrogel porosity and tortuosity as well as the combined effect of a geometric restraint for a relatively large solute molecule at a pore entrance and the friction between solute molecules moving through the pores and pore walls. Based on this model, we have estimated the tortuosity and average pore size of a swollen hydrogel, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAAm)] and a swollen heterogel, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-vinyl-terminated dimethylsiloxane) [poly(NIPAAm-co-VTPDMS)]. The permeation data for dextran molecules up to the size of 43.5 A in radius show good agreement with the values predicted from the model.