Abstract
Earlier experimental studies on the emulsion polymerized methacrylic acid/ethyl acrylate co-polymer indicated that the ethyl acrylate (EA) segments are sufficiently blocky to induce hydrophobic association between the EA blocks once the methacrylic acid groups are neutralized by a base. Detailed rheological characterization on semi-dilute solutions suggests that the viscoelastic property is caused by the transient network assembled through hydrophobic associations, rather than by physical chain entanglements. In the semi-dilute solution regime, the hydrophobically modified associative polymer exhibits higher viscosities when compared to the unmodified analogue. This is due to the formation of higher proportion of intermolecular association between the polymer clusters, which enhances the hydrophobic interaction between the hydrophobic macromonomers of different polymer chains. A mechanistic model is proposed to describe the nature of associations between the blocky EA and the hydrophobic segments of the polymer.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
