HYDROGEN-BONDING IN POLYMER SOLVENT MIXTURES

Hydrogen bonding between solvent molecules and between solvent and polymer molecules was investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. The solvents examined were compounds that can both self-associate and solvate (such as methanol) as well as compounds that can only solvate (such as tetrahydrofuran). Chloroform used as a cosolvent strongly solvates and there is spectroscopic evidence that it can weakly self-associate. The polymer used was a polyketone capable of solvating with molecules having acidic properties. Hydrogen bonding between an ether of moderate size and methanol also was examined, The extent of hydrogen bonding was determined by FTIR spectroscopy with a nonlinear regression technique. Chemical theory based on segment-segment interactions is used to model the spectroscopic results. Association between the different species is shown to be independent of the molecular size.