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Synthesis and characterization of self-assembling water-soluble polymers

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/491487· OSTI ID:491487

The synthesis is proposed of water-soluble vinyl and other polymers capable of self-assembly through hydrophobic bonding of pendent fluorocarbon and other hydrophobic groups. The self-assembly process will be studied by viscometry and dynamic viscoelasticity, and by static and dynamic light scattering. These investigations are aimed at identifying the structural features of polymers that are important in enhancing the viscosity of aqueous polymer solutions at very low polymer concentrations (< 1,000 ppm). The authors also initiate small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements aimed at the determination of the size of the fluorocarbon-containing hydrophobic aggregates. They will be interested in the degree of self assembly as a function of the type and length of the hydrophobic groups and of the type and length of the flexible spacer group linking the hydrophobic to the polymer backbone. The nature of the hydrophilic chain will also be of interest. Thus, they investigate a number of hydrophilic comonomers such as acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone and anionic or cationic vinyl monomers. Surface interactions of these interesting copolymers will be studied by adsorption onto appropriate modified latex spheres. Finally, they propose to explore the synthesis of water-soluble polymers capable of self assembly through interactions of pendent polyanions and polycations.

Research Organization:
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG03-89ER45407
OSTI ID:
491487
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/45407--T5; ON: DE97006583
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English