Association of Hydrophobically End-Capped Poly(ethylene oxide)

Abstract

The associative character of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) end-capped with dodecyl groups was studied by using static and dynamic light scattering and viscometry. The effect of functionalization is investigated by comparing results on unmodified PEO with PEO of the same molar mass end-capped at one or both ends. The molar mass dependence is investigated by comparing difunctionalized PEO samples with different molar masses: 10, 20, and 35 kg/mol. The experimental data are well described by a crude model which assumes open association and incorporates interparticle interaction.

Structure and Properties of Hydrophobically End-Capped Poly(ethylene Oxide) Solutions in the Presence of Monovalent and Divalent Cations

“…By comparing the concentration dependence of the scattered intensity of monofunctionalized samples and difunctionalized ones, we were able to demonstrate that micellization can be described through a model of "closed association" (7). Independent experimental studies have led another group to the same conclusions (22).…”

Neutral Polymeric Surfactants Derived from Dextran: A Study of Their Aqueous Solution Behavior

“…[15] In the case of DexC10 24 , a limited fraction of the scattered intensity was shown to be due to much smaller species. Since the previous correction was not possible, the determination of the weight-average molar mass could be erroneous because of that unknown polydispersity index.…”

“…The scattered intensity has been corrected from their contribution using a procedure published elsewhere. [15] b) These data are questionable for reasons discussed in the text.…”

“…This result was shown to hold for other associative polymers. [38] This fact can be interpreted in a simple way, referring to the model of adhesive spheres [13][14][15] that form transient networks by bridging. The modified polysaccharides are assumed to form defined aggregates which remain isolated in the dilute domain.…”

“…Their interest has been established in the preparation of nanoparticles for drug delivery, [8,9] in emulsion stabilization [10,11] as well as in miniemulsion polymerization. [12] The combination of viscometric measurements and light scattering techniques [static (SLS) and dynamic (DLS)] has been shown to provide useful information concerning the solution behavior of amphiphilic polymers [13][14][15] and particularly that of polysaccharides and polysaccharide derivatives. [16][17][18][19][20] The solution properties of neutral polysaccharides like dextran and pullulan have been characterized by SLS and DLS and compared.…”