| dc.description.abstract | Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a silicone-based elastomer that is commonly
utilized in biomedical, membrane, and flexible material applications due to its
temperature stability, chemical resistance, and flexibility. However, its sensitivity to
swelling in different solvents can have a considerable impact on its mechanical
performance and long-term stability. To better understand the polymer-solvent
interaction and heat response, this work investigates the swelling and deswelling
behavior of PDMS in selected halogenated and non-halogenated solvents, specifically
1-bromohexane, 1-bromooctane, 1-bromodecane, 1-bromotetradecane, 1-
chlorodecane, and n-hexane. Gravimetric swelling measures were performed, and
deswelling was tracked over time in 1-bromotetradecane. Hansen Solubility Parameter
(HSP) study predicted compatibility results revealed that short-chain and volatile
solvents caused higher swelling, while long-chain solvents exhibited limited diffusion
but stronger retention, while FTIR spectroscopy revealed solvent-specific interactions.
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) evaluated thermal desorption behavior and
stability, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyzed heat flow alterations
and plasticization effects. The findings revealed that smaller molecular weight solvents,
such as n-hexane and 1-bromohexane, caused more swelling and faster evaporation,
whereas longer-chain solvents, such as 1-bromotetradecane, caused slower desorption
due to deeper diffusion and greater affinity. Despite substantial solvent uptake, PDMS
maintained thermal stability under all test conditions. The findings highlight how
solvent polarity, molecular size, and volatility affect PDMS behavior, providing useful
information for solvent selection in applications where PDMS is exposed to organic
liquids. | en_US |
