SOLUTION PROPERTIES OF ION-CONTAINING POLYMERS IN POLAR-SOLVENTS

The dilute solution properties of various polyelectrolytes that contain sulfonate and carboxylate groups were investigated as a function of the counterion structure, charge density, molecular weight, and solvent structure. Viscometric measurements on these materials indicate that the nature of the cation affects the ability of the polyelectrolyte to expand its hydrodynamic volume at low polymer levels. The results show that the charge density has a significant effect on the magnitude of the reduced viscosity and dilute solution behavior. These observations, made in aqueous and nonaqueous solvents, are related to the interrelation of hydrodynamic volume, counterion concentration, and site binding. The increased hydrodynamic volume affects viscosity behavior beyond the polyelectrolyte effect regime.