A study of blends of amphiphilic polymers in solution

Abstract

The viscometric coefficient, k(AB), characterizing the interaction of chemically dissimilar polymer segments was estimated from changes of the intrinsic viscosity of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) measured in "pseudo-solvents," i.e., dilute solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The results provide evidence of the compatibility of these polymers in both solvents. The effects of hydroxyl end groups and the character of solvents has been found. The aggregation of PVA molecules in water is not significantly suppressed by PEG.