| Abstract: | The possible incorporation of water molecules within the crystal structure of poly(vinyl alcohol) is discussed. Modelling of the crystal structure suggested that water could be incorporated without severe disruption, and the effect on the X-ray powder diffraction trace was simulated. The effect of variation in tacticity is discussed in terms of the nature of the hydrogen bonding. Simulated traces are compared with experimental data from atactic samples in which a change in the diffraction peak intensities is observed for samples crystallised with water present. This is compared with samples produced from nonaqueous solutions. |
