Numerical simulation of multi-physics characteristic of hydrogels in salt solutions
数值模拟离子强度敏感水凝胶的多场特性

Numerical simulations are conducted in this paper to predict the multi-physics behavior of ionic-strength-sensitive hydrogels in aqueous salt solutions. The main governing equations in the presently developed model consist of the convection-diffusion equations calculating the distribution of ionic concentrations, the Poisson equation describing the electric potential and the thermodynamic equations computing the swelling deformation. To solve the multi-field coupled nonlinear partial differential governing equations, a Newton iteration procedure is carried out and the steady-state responses of the hydrogels in aqueous salt solutions are numerically simulated by meshless finite cloud method. The ionic concentrations, electric potentials interior and exterior the hydrogels as well as swelling deformation of the hydrogels are investigated. The major factors that influence the swelling behaviors of the hydrogels are also discussed. The numerical results in good agreement with the experimental data validate the developed multi-physics model.