Polymer poly disperse character

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macromonomers constitute a new class of surface active monomers which give, by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization or copolymerization, stable polymer dispersions and comb-like materials with very interesting properties due to the exceptional properties of ethylene oxide (EO) side chains. They are a basis for a number of various applications which take advantage of the binding properties of PEO [39], its hydrophilic and amphipathic behavior [40], as well as its bio compatibility and non-absorbing character towards proteins [41]. Various types of PEO macromonomers have been proposed and among them the most popular are the acrylates and methacrylates [42]. 

For both designs a microphase separated morphology was found with 20-50 nm peptide domains dispersed in a continuous poly(ethylene glycol) phase. Furthermore, a 100-150 nm superstructure was observed in cast films, which was explained to result from the polydispersity and multiblock character of the polymers. The mechanical properties of fibers and films made from these block copolymers could be modulated by manipulating the length and nature of the constituent blocks. Similar work was reported by Shao et al. [47]. 

Due to the relatively weak adsorption of homopolymers at the L/L interface, and in some cases at the S/L interface, homopolymers are seldom used as emulsifiers or dispersants. For this purpose, the molecule is modified to include some specific units that have strong adsorption to the surface. A good example is partially hydrolysed poly (vinyl acetate), which is commercially referred to as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The polymer contains 4-12% acetate groups (i.e. 96-88% hydrolysed) and these groups impart an amphipathic character to the chain. The polymer becomes surface-active at the L/L interface and hence it can be used as an emulsifier. In addition, on a hydrophobic surface such as polystyrene, the acetate groups become preferentially adsorbed on the surface of the particles, thus leaving the PVA units dangling in solution as loops and tails . The latter provide the required steric stabilization. 

In Table I, the semiempirical parameter of the solvent polarity and the polymer microenvironment polarity in the same solvents are compared. In all the cases, the microenvironment polarity of a polymer in solution was lower than that of the solvent. In polymers with a partially nonpolar character, such as poly(4-vinylpyridine), poIy(2-vinyl-pyridine), poly(methyl methacrylate), as well as poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), part of the interactions (dipole-dipole, dipole-induced dipole, multipole, charge-dipole, specific association such as hydrogen bonding, etc.)38 are shielded by the nonpolar backbone of the polymer chain and by the side chains. Solvation of the polymer polar group differs from the solvation of the low-molecular analogue also in other respects. In spite of a relative polarity of the polymer units, the orientation of their dipoles to a bound polar reporter or reactive residues is not as free as for a solvent molecule so that a much wider dispersion of orienting electric dipoles and energy interactions may be encountered (see p. 21h. 

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