Polymer cosolvent system - 4. Influence of nature and size of the lateral group in the preferential solvation of aromatic polymethacrylates in tetrahydrofuran/water

The preferential adsorption parameter λ of poly(phenyl methacrylate), poly[4-(1,1,3,3- tetramethylbutyl) phenyl methacrylate] and poly(4-tert-butyl styrene) in the mixture THF/water has been determined by exclusion chromatography (GPC) and differential refractometry and dialysis equilibrium (DR). The general behaviour of the polymers studied in this mixture is very similar, water is preferentially adsorbed by the polymer at low water content. The results are discussed in relation to the rigidity of the macromolecular chains and the hydrophobic degree of the substituent group in the aromatic ring.