POLYANION-POLYCATION-COMPLEX FORMATION OF CHARGED MICROGELS AND LATTICES WITH OPPOSITELY CHARGED POLYELECTROLYTES IN SOLUTION

Employing cationic, covalently crosslinked polyallylamine-based highly swollen microgels and anionic latices obtained by copolymerization of methacrylic acid and epoxypropyl methacrylate, the interaction of these polymer colloids with oppositely charged linear macroions is investigated by potentiometry, conductometry and turbidimetry. The microgels behave similar to linear macroions in symplex formation, if the components are reacted in the neutralized state, while in a "free acid - free base" titration only the easily accessible sites of the microgels are primarily involved in the interaction. With the more compact polymer latices a stable dispersion is formed, while with the microgels flocculation occurs. The results are discussed with regard to the influence of physical structure of the polymer colloids on stoichiometry and state of dispersion of the symplexes formed.