Oscar G. Marambio

Comparative study of the self-aggregation of rhodamine 6G in the presence of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), Poly(N -phenylmaleimide- co -acrylic acid), poly(styrene- alt -maleic acid), and poly(sodium acrylate)

The interaction between rhodamine 6G and different polyelectrolytes is analyzed. Structural aspects differentiate these polyelectrolytes, such as the presence of aromatic groups and the number and localization of their respective charges, which may be directly attached to the aromatic groups or to the polymeric main chain. In the case of poly(sodium acrylate), which does not bear aromatic groups, the polyelectrolyte induces cooperative self-stacking between the dyes which is highly sensitive to the ionic strength, due to the predominance of long-range electrostatic interactions between the polymer and the dye. In the case of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), whose charge is directly attached to the aromatic groups, a high dispersant ability of the dyes is found and the interaction is less dependent on the ionic strength, due to the predominance of short-range aromatic-aromatic interactions between the dye and the polymer. Among the two polyelectrolytes studied for which the polymeric charge is directly attached to the main chain, and separated from the aromatic group, poly(styrene-alt-maleic acid) shows a lower dependence of the interaction on the ionic strength than poly(N-phenylmaleimide-co-acrylic acid) at a comonomer composition of 1:2, due to a higher linear aromatic density and a lower linear charge density, indicating the importance of hydrophobic forces. Both copolymers exhibit a high ability to induce cooperative self-aggregation of the dye.

Polyaromatic-Anion Behavior of Different Polyelectrolytes Containing Benzenecarboxylate Units

The polyaromatic-ion behavior of poly(sodium N-maleoyl-2-aminobenzoate-co-sodium acrylate) in a comonomer composition 1:2, poly(sodium N-maleoyl-4-aminobenzoate-co-sodium acrylate) in a comonomer composition 1:2, and poly(sodium N-maleoyl-4-aminobenzoate-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) in a comonomer composition 1:1 is studied. The copolymers undergo short-range aromatic-aromatic interactions with methylene blue and rhodamine B, as a consequence of which their UV-vis monomer band is shifted to lower energies. As a result of their polyaromatic-anion behavior, methylene blue is easily dispersed on the polymeric domains. Moreover, the pK(a) of rhodamine B is shifted from 3.2 to 4.5-5 in the presence of these copolymers. This behavior is also observed in the presence poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), but not in the presence of poly(sodium vinyl sulfonate), which are taken as reference polymers. Compared with poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), a lower resistance to the cleaving effect of added NaCl on the interaction with methylene blue is found. A different influence on the reduction of 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride with ascorbic acid was found for the different polyelectrolytes.

Different Models on Binding of Aromatic Counterions to Polyelectrolytes

The standard theory regarding the interactions between polyelectrolytes and their counterions is based on long-range electrostatic interactions. However, aromatic counterions may undergo short-range aromatic-aromatic interactions with polyelectrolytes containing aromatic rings so that ion pairs may be formed. The charge of the polymeric aromatic groups and the linear aromatic density of the polyelectrolytes play an important role on the behavior of the systems. Self-aggregation of counterions on the polymer environment can be controlled.