Investigation of the Structure of Polyelectrolyte-Based Complex Coacervates and the Effects of Electrolyte Order of Addition

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-12-2007

Department

Polymers and High Performance Materials

Abstract

High-throughput screening formulation methods were used to investigate structure-property relationships of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and surfactants in the semi-dilute and concentrated surfactant regimes. These methods were also employed to investigate the mechanisms of coacervate formation in the presence of electrolyte, specifically variation in addition order. Using synthetic polymers it was determined that the positioning of the cationic group along the backbone chain can impact the amount of coacervate formed. Within the cationic cellulosic Polyquaternium-10 polymer series, an increase in molecular weight and/or charge density provided an overall increased amount of coacervate. Also, it was determined that, depending on the flexibility of the polymer structure, the mechanisms of coacervation in the presence of added electrolyte can vary as a function of addition order of the materials.

Publication Title

ACS Symposium Series

Volume

961

First Page

97

Last Page

122

Link to Full Text

Find in your library

Share

COinS