Physical hydrogels of associative star polymers
- State Univ. of New York, Syracuse, NY (United States)
Amphiphilic star polymers consisting of a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic arms end-capped with hydrophobic moieties exhibit associative properties in aqueous solution. Using large hydrophobic aliphatic tri- or tetraisocyanates derived from m-TMI, a series of well-defined stars with three or four polyethylene oxide arms and nonylphenoxy end groups were synthesized and characterized. When dissolved in water, separation into a dilute and concentrated phase occurs. The polymer concentration remains constant in each phase, their volume fractions being proportional to the total polymer concentration. The gel phase resembles an amphiphilic hydrogel with a strong affinity for hydrophobic compounds. Brookfield viscosity measurements also confirm the associative properties of the star polymers.
- OSTI ID:
- 141707
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930304--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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