Linear conformation of poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) capable of self-assembly: a result of chain stiffening by internal hydrogen bonds.

A careful conformational analysis of poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) at different pH values is presented. It is found that a strong internal hydrogen bond is formed at intermediate pH, which induces a change in the conformation of the polymer chain, which becomes linear. This linearity does not depend on the chirality of the polymer. The linearity of the chain occurs only at intermediate pH and can explain the association among the chains observed by dynamic light scattering at pH 7.