Copolymer solutions Tetrachloroethane

Optical densities at 269.5 nm for polystyrene solutions at concentrations of 0-1 X 10"2 mole/liter and for poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) solutions at a total concentration of 1 X 10 2 mole/liter are presented in Figure 1 as functions of styrene content. The solvents were (from the top) dioxane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran (THF), tetrachloroethane (TCE), and dichloro-ethane (DCE). It is evident that the linear relationship between optical density and styrene concentration that is valid for a polystyrene at all concentrations (open circles) does not hold for the statistical copolymers (solid circles). For example, copolymer (25-80 mole % styrene) solutions in chloroform deviate markedly from linearity the maximum per cent decrease in extinction coefficient (hypochromism) corresponds to a copolymer containing 50 mole % styrene. We define hypochromism as the decrease in absorption intensity at 269.5 nm per chromophore of the statistical copolymer relative to that of the atactic polystyrene. It is also evident from Figure 1 that the alternating copolymer also gives a sharp hypochromism whereas block copolymers and mechanical mixtures of polystyrene and poly (methyl methacrylate) do not deviate from the straight line. Similar results were obtained with the other solvents, but the composition range where hypochromism appears depends on the solvent used. 

Films of the copolymers were cast on glass plates from filtered 10% solutions in chloroform or tetrachloroethane. They were allowed to first air dry under essentially dust free conditions for 78 hours and were then dried for 24 hours at 90-100"C under vacuum. 

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