A new polymer with a lower critical solution temperature:poly(α-methoxymethyl acrylic acid)

Abstract A new monomer and its water-soluble polymer have been synthesized containing pendant methyl ether and carboxylic acid groups. This polymer was found to possess a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in pure water that is dependent on added salt and almost independent of polymer concentration (above 3 × 10 −4 wt.%). Values of the LCST typically ranged from around 40–50°C but decreased to 35°C in 1% NaCl.