Phase separation in a poly(acrylic acid)-polycation system in acidic solutions

Phase separation in aqueous solutions of mixtures of poly(acrylic acid) with polycations poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), poly(1,2-dimethyl-5-vinylpyridinium methylsulfate)] in the presence of decimolar hydrochloric acid has been studied by static and dynamic light scattering. The systems are characterized by the upper critical solution temperature. The temperature-dependent association of macromolecules is observed in the single-phase region. A decrease in temperature leads to phase separation; the composition of the diluted phase is determined by the temperature and composition of the initial mixture; and the composition of the concentrated phase remains almost invariable. The occurrence of association in the mixtures is probably the formation of interpolymer complex due to ion-dipole interactions between the carboxyl groups of poly(acrylic acid) and the functional groups of the polycation.