Chain structure swelling effects

Fig. 8. Linear swelling ratio calculated for ionized NIPA gels. Numbers on curves represent the effective number of charges per polymer chain. Structural parameters were calculated from the preparation condition of the samples. Other parameters were identical with those used in the calculations for neutral NIPA gels...

The adsorption of polyelectrolytes onto surfaces can be considered quasi-irre-versible and it is possible to assume that once the polyelectrolyte chains are attached to the siuface they remain adsorbed [83]. The chemical nature of the polyelectrolytes, and the assembling conditions play a key role in the assembling of polyelectrolyte multilayers, and on their thickness, structure and properties [84, 85]. More specifically, the hydropholic/hydrophobic balance of the chains is probably the most important factor that affects to the PEMs formation because it determines both the interaction between the polyelectrolytes and the swelling degree of the chains [95]. The effect of the increase of the polymer hydrophobicity on the adsorption of polyelectrolytes is mediated by the existence of a unfavourable contribution to the solvation energy of the chains [86]. Another key variable is the flexibility of the polymer chains. This parameter plays a key role in the interaction between the chains and the adsorbed layers [87]. 

The effect of surfactant structures and properties on emulsion polymerization have been investigated by numerous authors [82-89]. Efforts were made to study the effects of surfactants with different molecular weights on the rate of polymerization [82], swelling and solubilization effects [83], effects of alkyl chain length of homologous series on the rate of polymerization, particle size... 

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