Аннотация:Conformational transitions in hydrogels of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAAc) with various degrees of ionization were examined as induced by complex formation with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and an opppositely charged surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride. At intermediate degrees of ionization of PMAAc, complex formation with cetylpyridinium chloride caused a strong contraction of the gel. For the complex between PMAAc and PEG, a phase transition to the collapsed state was induced by the addition of a low-molecular acid. In an acidic medium, the PMAAc gel swelled in the presence of cetylpyridinium chloride, whereas formation of the complex with PEG recovered the gel from the collapsed state. This effect is explained by excess absorption of cetylpyridinium chloride by the gels, which is stipulated by the hydrophobic interactions.