Work

Quantitative Measurements of Polymer Hydrophobicity Based on Functional Group Identity and Oligomer Length

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: A combined experimental and computational investigation revealed a hydrophobicity trend for oxygen-containing functional groups commonly encountered in monomers and polymers. Based on solvatochromatic dye experiments, HPLC retention times, and theoretical LogP values, the arrangement of the three oxygen atoms in carbonates results in more hydrophobicity than other permutations like anhydrides. Another trend emerged for functional groups with two oxygen atoms (acetals > esters). Overall, when comparing aliphatic polymers with similarly sized monomers, hydrophobicity decreased as follows: carbonates > acetals > esters > anhydrides. These trends have important implications for degradation, conductivity, and many other applications.

Source: Macromolecules

DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b01747

Authors: Nayanthara U. Dharmaratne, Terra Marie M. Jouaneh, Matthew K. Kiesewetter, Robert T. Mathers

Institutions: University of Rhode Island, Pennsylvania State University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Division of Chemistry

Award: G2656919733