pH effects in the formation of interpolymer complexes between poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(acrylic acid) in aqueous solutions

The critical pH values for hydrogen-bonded interpolymer complexes of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(acrylic acid) in aqueous solutions were determined. The effect of polymer concentrations, molecular weights and addition of inorganic salts (NaCl and KCl) on the complexation was studied

Phase behavior of methylcellulose-poly(acrylic acid) blends and preparation of related hydrophilic films

The phase behavior of methylcellulose-poly(acrylic acid) mixtures was studied in aqueous solution. It was shown that the complexation between the two polymers decreases considerably the cloud-point of methylcellulose. The addition of inorganic salts shifts the critical pH values toward a higher pH region. Films were prepared based on methylcellulose-poly(acrylic acid) blends and were analyzed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis. The miscibility between the two polymers in the films was shown. It was found that the thermal treatment of the films leads to their cross-linking with the formation of materials swellable both in water and ethanol

Morphological and thermal characterization of interpolymer complexes and blends based on poly(acrylic acid) and hydroxypropylcellulose

Interpolymer complexes and blends were prepared based on poly(acrylic acid) and hydroxypropylcellulose. The structural features of polycomplexes and blends were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis. It was found that the interpolymer complex obtained as a result of co-precipitation of the polymeric components is characterized by an uniform structure which indicates the complete miscibility between the components. Films were prepared based on blends of neutralized poly(acrylic acid) and hydroxypropylcellulose. In this case the two components resulted immiscible because of the lack of intermolecular hydrogen bonding

Solvent Effects on the Formation of Nanoparticles and Multilayered Coatings Based on Hydrogen-Bonded Interpolymer Complexes of Poly(acrylic acid) with Homo- and Copolymers of N-Vinyl Pyrrolidone

The formation of hydrogen-bonded interpolymer complexes between poly(acrylic acid) and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) as well as amphiphilic copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone with vinyl propyl ether has been studied in aqueous and organic solutions. It was demonstrated that introduction of vinyl propyl ether units into the macromolecules of the nonionic polymer enhances their ability to form complexes in aqueous solutions due to more significant contribution of hydrophobic effects. The complexation was found to be a multistage process that involves the formation of primary polycomplex particles, which further aggregate to form spherical nanoparticles. Depending on the environmental factors (pH, solvent nature), these nanoparticles may either form stable colloidal solutions or undergo further aggregation, resulting in precipitation of interpolymer complexes. In organic solvents, the intensity of complex formation increases in the following order: methanol < ethanol < isopropanol < dioxane. The multilayered coatings were developed using layer-by-layer deposition of interpolymer complexes on glass surfaces. It was demonstrated that the solvent nature affects the efficiency of coating deposition