Determination of thermodynamic parameters of polymer-solvent systems by light scattering

Abstract

From the intensities of light scattered from dilute and concentrated solutions of a given polymer, the chemical potential of the polymer and the solvent can be determined. Experiments have been carried out with solutions of monodisperse polystyrenes of different molecular weights in a poor solvent (cyclohexane) and in a good solvent (toluene) at different temperatures and at concentrations up to 30 per cent by weight. For all concentrations, the interaction parameter χ appears to be slightly dependent on the molecular weight. The results are compared with those determined by equilibrium ultracentrifugation and critical miscibility measurements. © 1970.