Solution properties of poly(methacrylamide)

Poly(methacrylamide) samples obtained by radical polymerization were fractionated by isothermal precipitation (formamide-methanol). Molecular weights were determined by light scattering and the Archibald approach-to-equilibrium method (in 0.4 M aqueous magnesium perchlorate), and the [η] M correlation was constructed. The characteristic ratio (C₁ = 6.1). Its temperature coefficient (dln C₁ dT ? 0) and the interaction parameters of the polymer in aqueous solutions of urea (2–8 M) and magnesium perchlorate (0.4–1.2 M) at 10–50°C were determined using analysis of the viscometric data ([η], dln [η]/dT). The data thus obtained are used to discuss the behaviour of the polymer in water.