COMPLEXATION BETWEEN POLYACRYLIC-ACID AND POLYETHYLENE-GLYCOL MONOETHERS

Viscometry and potentiometric titration were used to study complexation in aqueous solution between polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyethylene glycol decyl and dodecyl monoethers (PEGME) with a different degree of polymerization of PEG. As a function of the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance in PEGME, it can exist in a complex with PAA both in micellar form and as individual macromolecules. A hydrophilic associate between PAA and PEGME micelles formed when the concentration of PEGME in the solution was increased. Formation of the associate was possible with a concentration of PEGME below its CMC. The proposed structure of the associate accounts for the observed characteristics.