Polyelectrolyte synthesis, kinetics

This chapter describes the synthesis, kinetics, and solution properties for copolymers ofN-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) with sulfonate ionic and zwitterionic monomers. Examples of the sulfonate ionic monomers are sodium styrenesulfonate (NaSS) and sodium acrylamido-2-meth-ylpropanesulfonate (NaAMPS) an example of the zwitterionic sulfonate monomer is 2-hydroxyethyt)dimethyl(3-sulfopropyt)-ammonium inner salt, methacrylate (SPE). The NVP-NaAMPS monomer pair was exceptional, showing evidence for donor-acceptor character and an alternating tendency in copolymerization. The NVP copolymers containing simple sulfonate ionic monomers e.g., NaAMPS) showed polyelectrolyte solution properties. On the other hand, the NVP copolymers with zwitterionic sulfonate monomers showed antipoly electrolyte solution behavior. 

In this article we review our experience with hydrophobic polyelectrolyte gel systems. In Sect. 2 we summarize the essentials of the synthesis procedure. In Sect. 3 swelling equilibrium measurements are summarized, and in Sect. 4 these measurements are used to evaluate a simple theoretical model of gel swelling. Significant quantitative discrepancies are found, the putative sources of which are discussed. Swelling and deswelling kinetics results are discussed in Sects. 5 and 6. Section 7 summarizes the article, and suggests some implications of the reported results. 

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