Maximizing the absorption of small cosolutes inside neutral hydrogels: steric exclusion versus hydrophobic adhesion

, pointing out the importance of geometrical aspects of the cross-linked polymer network, even for hydrogels in the swollen state. In addition, the theory is able to predict analytically the onset of the maximum formation in terms of the details of the cosolute-monomer pair interaction, in good agreement with simulations too. Finally, the effect of the many-body attractions between the cosolute and multiple polymer chains is quantified. The results clearly show that these many-body attractions play a very relevant role determining the cosolute binding, enhancing its absorption in more than one order of magnitude.