Behavior of heterogeneous macromolecular structures Part I: Microgels and coated microgels

Homopolymeric microgels composed of PMMA were prepared by emulsion polymerization in the presence of 0.5 % 1,4-butanediol divinylether (BVE) in an aqueous medium followed by careful removal of the soap. The microgels were coated with polystyrene (PS) by anionic grafting of living PS chains onto the surface. Both types of microgels were characterized by GPC and by static and dynamic light scattering in several solvents. A special model consisting of a hard core and a seam of dangling chains has been developed and applied to interpreting the light scattering data from the various solvents. The model gives consistent results, e. g. the core radius agrees well with the radius of gyration. In the coated microgels a strong expansion of the core as a result of the PS/ PMMA incompatibility is observed.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H.-G. Kilian on the occasion of his 60th birthday.