The storage modulus increases with increasing temperature

What causes a decrease in storage modulus with increasing temperature?

A decrease in storage modulus with higher temperatures is most likely due to non-chemical/covalent cross-links weakening. For a more accurate diagnosis, it would be helpful to have more details on the type of hydrogel and cross-linker.

How does loss modulus affect storage modulus?

Clearly, as chains begin to move more freely, loss modulus increases. Consequently, the material also becomes less stiff and more rubbery. The storage modulus drops. If tan delta is the ratio of loss modulus to storage modulus, it should increase at that point -- and it does.

Does a higher storage modulus mean less swelling?

Higher storage modulus means less swelling (assuming you're comparing hydrogels of the same type with different degrees of swelling). If you observe a decrease in the storage modulus with increasing temperature, it is most probably a result of non-chemical/covalent cross-links weakening.

How does frequency affect storage modulus?

The results would typically be presented in a graph like this one: What the graph tells us is that frequency clearly matters. When the experiment is run at higher frequencies, the storage modulus is higher. The material appears to be stiffer.

How does storage modulus improve the efficiency of the media?

Studies conducted by Davies and Fletcher (1995), Kar et al. (2009a, 2009b), and Sankar et al. (2011) describe the improvement in the storage modulus and reduction in the free space between the polymer chains increases the efficiency of the media by providing the better shear strength characteristics.

What is storage modulus?

Irfan Ahmad Ansari, ... Kamal K. Kar Storage modulus is the indication of the ability to store energy elastically and forces the abrasive particles radially (normal force). At a very low frequency, the rate of shear is very low, hence for low frequency the capacity of retaining the original strength of media is high.