Configurational steric stabilisation

Entropic, volume restriction or elastic interaction, G p This results from the loss in configurational entropy of the chains on significant overlap. Entropy loss is unfavourable and, therefore, G j is always positive. A combination of G,. with G gives the total energy of interaction Gj (theory of steric stabilisation). 

Figure 1.2 Schematic representation of the repulsive forces giving rise to steric stabilisation. Top shows interpenetration of polymer layers giving rise to an increase in osmotic pressure in the overlap region and bottom shows compression of the polymer layers on close approach leading to a loss of configurational entropy.

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