Deformation of hydrogel during freezing

Abstract: We conducted experiments to directionally freeze agar hydrogel drops with different polymer concentrations, on a copper substrate maintained at low temperature. Unlike the water droplet studied in the literature, where the liquid part can reorganize during freezing, our droplets show a distinct deformation. This is due to the presence of the viscoelastic solid polymer matrix, which prevents deformation of the unfrozen part, leading mainly to elongation in the direction of the temperature gradient. We then derive a model describing this deformation. It assumes a flat freezing front, a change in volume at the front resulting from the Stefan condition, and a remaining volume to be frozen identical in shape to the initial one. The latter is in good agreement with experimental observations as long as water fluxes in the porous hydrogel remain negligible. It is also conclusive for different object shapes, as the hydrogel can be freely molded without a container.