Aggregation Behavior of Mono-endcapped Hydrophobically Modified Poly(sodium acrylate)s in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Titration microcalorimetry and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy have been used to study the aggregation of mono-endcapped hydrophobically modified poly(sodium acrylate)s in aqueous solution. Polymers with molecular weights varying between 800 and 31,700 were synthesized by radical polymerization using an initiator and chain transfer agent. The resulting polymers form hydrophobic microdomains in aqueous solutions. The following conditions were applied: no salt and pH 5 and 9, respectively; 1 M sodium citrate and pH 9. At pH 5 the critical aggregation concentration (CAC, the concentration at which microdomains are formed) increases with increasing molecular weight of the polymers. The concentration range for aggregation is about 0.2–2.4 mM. At pH 9 the carboxylic acid groups are deprotonated and electrostatic repulsions are introduced; therefore the concentration for aggregation rises to about 80 mM. Interestingly, in case of polymers having Mn<1400 the CAC decreases with increasing molecular weight due to a counterion–concentration gradient toward the hydrophobic microdomain. Near the microdomain the counterion binding is increased, reducing the electrostatic repulsions and allowing for lower aggregation concentrations. In the presence of 1 M sodium citrate this anomalous trend is suppressed to a large extent; since the overall counterion binding is increased and the CAC is lower. The concentration for aggregation is then in the same range as at pH 5 in the absence of salt.