| Abstract: | Insoluble complexes are formed in acidic aqueous media when poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly-(vinylbenzo-18-crown-6) (P18C6) or polyvinylbenzoglymes are mixed. Complex formation results from hydrogen bonding between carboxyl groups and crown ether- or glyme–oxygen atoms as well as from hydrophobic interactions. The precipitation is pH dependent and was determined as a function of the ratio PAA to P18C6 or to polyglyme at different HCl concentrations in 10?4M solutions of polycrown or polyglyme. Precipitation is nearly quantitative in 0.01N HCl. The compositions of PAA/P18C6 precipitates were determined as a function of the initial PAA/P18C6 ratio in solution. The complexes with P18C6 can be solubilized in acidic media when crown-complexable cations (K+, Cs+, Ba2+) are added, but the charged P18C6 reprecipitates in basic solution as a polysalt complex with the PAA–polyanion. More stable PAA–P18C6 complexes in the form of fibers can be obtained by interfacial complex formation. Poly(methacrylic acid) is less effective as a complex former. |
