Light Scattering Characterization of Polymer Additives and Correlation of Molecular Properties of Polymer Fluids

Abstract : In the ARO project, we have succeeded in characterizing a random copolymer of poly(isobutyl methacrylate-co-tertbutyl aminoethyl methacrylate), abbreviated as poly(iBMA-tBAEMA) in polar and protic solvents by means of laser light scattering (LLS) and viscosimetry. Intra- and intermolecular interactions could be used to explain the aggregation behavior which dominates the rheological properties of a large variety of such polymer solutions, making poly(iBMA-tBAEMA) a useful polymer additive/thickening agent. By adding another polymer which can complex with poly(iBMA-tBAEMA), we have found that the polymer can be used as a viscosity enhancer for the polymer additive, poly(iBMA-tBAEMA). With sulfonated polystyrenes, the enhancement could reach a factor of 20.