ASSOCIATION OF HYDROPHOBICALLY END-CAPPED POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE)

The associative character of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) end-capped wit h dodecyl groups was studied by using static and dynamic light scatter ing and viscometry. The effect of functionalization is investigated by comparing results on unmodified PEO with PEO of the same molar mass e nd-capped at one or both ends. The molar mass dependence is investigat ed by comparing difunctionalized PEO samples with different molar mass es: 10, 20, and 35 kg/mol. The experimental data are well described by a crude model which assumes open association and incorporates interpa rticle interaction.