A thermodynamic analysis of calcium–alginate gel formation in the presence of inert electrolyte

✍ Scribed by Svante Nilsson

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 424 KB
• Volume: 32
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0006-3525
• DOI: 10.1002/bip.360321005

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The effect of mixed salt (1:1 and 2:1 electrolyte) on alginate (a charged polysaccharide) gel formation is analyzed within the Poisson‐Boltzmann cell model utilizing experimental data from the literature. The concentration of calcium ions needed to induce gelation of alginate goes through a minimum as 1 : 1 electrolyte is added. The theoretical model can account for this in a qualitative manner. According to the theoretical model, however, it is only in terms of concentrations that the minimum exists. In terms of chemical potentials for the ions (or salt) the curve is monotonic. The effect is due to the highly nonideal interactions in polyelectrolyte solutions when the total salt content is low. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.