The behavior of a high molecular weight sodium poly[bis(carboxylatophe
noxy)phosphazene] (NaPCPP) polyelectrolyte sample in aqueous solution
has been investigated by means of viscosity, conductivity, sodium coun
terion potentiometric ''activity coefficient'' (gamma(+)) measurements
, and Na-23-NMR experiments. The set of data clearly and consistently
points out the peculiar polyelectrolytic behavior of NaPCPP in water.
In our opinion, this is essentially due to the pal tial hydrophobic ch
aracter of flexible NaPCPP chains which would easily ''entangle'' even
at low concentrations in water and, in addition, would give rise to '
'entanglement collapse'' with increasing solution temperature.