Detection of polymer compatibility by means of self-organization: poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate). Issue 20 (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bercea, Maria; Wolf, Bernhard A.
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 17:Issue 20(2021)
• Page Start: 5214
• Page End: 5220
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00170a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Manifestation of the counter ion mediated compatibility of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS-Na): Na + ions form bridges between the sulfonate groups of PSS-Na and the OH groups of PEO. Abstract : Information on the miscibility of different polymers A and B on a molecular level is important in many ways. However, along the traditional lines this knowledge is difficult and time consuming to achieve. The current study presents a simple alternative, based on the determination of the intrinsic viscosities (specific hydrodynamic volume of isolated coils) for blend solutions in a common solvent. In the case of incompatible polymers, isolated coils contain one macromolecule only, either A or B. In contrast, compatible polymers form mixed isolated coils, because of favorable interactions. The present investigation was carried out for the system water/poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(sodium 4-polystyrenesulfonate), for which the reason of compatibility lies in the formation Na + bridges between the sulfonate groups of the polyelectrolyte and the OH groups of the poly(ethylene oxide). Zero shear viscosities were measured as a function of polymer concentration for blends of different compositions and modeled quantitatively by means of relations yielding the excess intrinsic viscosities ε (zero in the case of incompatibility) and viscometric interaction parameters. Particular attention is being paid to the role the molar masses of the polymers play for the resulting ε values.