Order-disorder transitions solvent dependence

In this chapter, the theory of conformation-dependent polymer-solvent interactions, which was developed in detail by Schweizer (20-22) for soluble TT-conjugated polymers, will be used to explain both qualitatively and quantitatively a large body of observations on the polysilylenes (23, 24). The same theory has been used recently to interpret qualitatively order-disorder phenomena and the electronic thermochromism of TT-conjugated-polymer solutions and films (25, 26). The study presented in this chapter represents part of an ongoing effort to understand in a unified fashion both the optical properties (27-30) and order-disorder transitions (20-24) of flexible, conjugated-polymer solutions. 

Symmetrical Dialkyl-Substituted Polysilylenes Because of their extremely sharp order-disorder transitions, the nonpolar, symmetrical dialkyl-substituted polysilylenes are almost ideal systems with which to test the predictions discussed earlier. The predicted solvent dependence of Tc was tested by performing a series of experiments with high-molecular-weight poly(di-n-hexylsilylene) in dilute solution. Experimental results for six solvents are listed in Table II, and the theoretically defined solvation coupling constants and solvent parameters are collected in Table III. 

The first successful result was seen in the grafting of poly(octadecyl acrylate) onto silica and its application for separation of PAHs in a reversed phase mode. The polymer is obtained by telomerization of octadecyl acrylate, initiated with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (Fig. 1). The following immobilization is carried out by mixing with porous silica in a suitable solvent. The resultant polymer-grafted silica shows, not only extremely high separation of PAHs, but also specific temperature dependency on the selectivity, which is induced by an ordered-to-disordered transition of the grafted polymer. The detail is described later. 

Dependence of the critical particle concentration p fp0, above which disorder—order transition occurs for sterically stabilized dispersions, on the thickness of the adsorbed layer and on the nature of the solvent. System polyisobutene-stabilized silica particles in cyclohexane at 308 K and in ethylbenzene at 298 K. a = 48 nm, A = 4.54kTr v = 0.10, xt = 0.47, x5 = 0.10 for polyisobutene—cyclohexane, and xt 0.477, x2 = 0.32 for polyisobutene—ethylbenzene... 

Conformations of the polymers were studied by CD and optical rotation measurements. Poly-L-lysine is known to exist in disordered, helical and -conformation, depending on the temperature, pH of the system and the solvent used. The side chain of the polymer has a significant effect on the backbone conformation. At neutral pH, poly-L-lysine exists in a random coil structure while at pH above 10, the e-amino group becomes a neutral form and the polymer undergoes transition to a helical structure. In order to elucidate the effect of base substituents on the conformation of poly-L-lysine, CD spectra of the copolymer were measured. 

---