THE EFFECT OF POLYMERS ON THE CRYSTALLIZATION OF N-ALKANES FROM SOLUTION .2. MODE OF ACTION OF FUMARATE VINYL-ACETATE COPOLYMERS

The amount of octadecyl fumarate-vinyl acetate (C18FVA) copolymer which co-crystallised with dotriacontane from dodecane solution was measured by infrared and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. It was found that the magnitude of the slow-motion component in the composite ESR Spectra of the system below its cloud point did not accurately reflect the amount of polymer which had co-crystallised with the dotriacontane. ESR studies of isolated samples of the co-crystallate showed the C18FVA to be less tightly bound than in the bulk polymer, suggesting that the polymer molecules are adsorbed on to the surface of the dotriacontane crystals.