Effect of polymer tacticity on the molecular structure of polyelectrolyte/surfactant stoichiometric complexes in solutions and gels

摘要

The molecular structure of polystyrene sulphonate/CTAB stoichiometric complexes has been examined by means of small-angle neutron scattering in solutions and in the gel state for two different tacticities of the polystyrene moiety, namely atactic polystyrene and isotactic polystyrene. It is found that tacticity has no influence on the molecular structure in solution, while it plays a role in the gel state. The neutron scattering curves are interpreted with different helical models. The thermal properties of the gels are discussed in the light of the neutron scattering outcomes.