V. N. Fomin

Nanostructural behavior aspects of macromolecules with different molecular architecture on interfaces

This work describes a new class of macromolecular compounds, i.e., acrylic acid and isobornyl acrylate gradient block copolymers synthesized by controlled radical polymerization. A series of these gradient block copolymers was compared with acrylic acid and isobornyl acrylate block copolymers with similar compositions to demonstrate the effect of copolymer molecular architecture and the intense mechanical effect on their surface interactions with particles of different nature in aqueous dispersion systems. The method of electrokinetic sonic amplitude revealed the architectural effect of macromolecules to their surface interaction the particles at various concentrations of polymer and calculated the parameters of polymer adsorption layers. The surface interaction models were suggested for macromolecules of block and gradient block copolymers of various compositions with hydrophilic and hydrophobic particles and the copolymer architecture was proven to determine the nanostructure of polymer adsorption layers on interface. The nanostructural differences were suggested and confirmed in the interaction of block and gradient block copolymers with interface of different nature.

Structure of adsorption layers and conformation transformations of ethylhydroxyethylcellulose on surfaces of titanium and iron oxides

Regularities of the adsorption of ethylhydroxyethylcellulose (EHEC) hydrophilic polymer on a surface of inorganic pigments of TiO2 and Fe2O3 were investigated by infrared spectroscopy. It was found that the adsorption interaction between EHEC and a surface of oxides is accompanied by conformation transformations of the adsorbed molecules of EHEC. The means by which macromolecules bind with active centers on a surface of metal oxides and the influence of the oxides’ nature on the EHEC macromolecule conformation transformations determining the structure of the adsorption layer upon adsorption were established.

Specific features of temperature-controlled modification of the interface in disperse systems

The macroscopic properties of polymer composite materials are known to be largely determined by the interface interactions between the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium. Some aspects of the theory of interface phenomena, in particular, the evaluation of the interaction of components at the interfaces and the structure and composition of the transition zones are considered in the theory of adhesion and adsorption of polymers.

An IR study of the adsorption of ethylhydroxyethylcellulose on the surface of titanium and iron oxides under the action of mechanoactivation

The adsorption of hydrophilic ethylhydroxyethylcellulose (EHEC) polymer on the surface of TiO2 and Fe2O3 inorganic pigments under the action of intense mechanical actions was studied by infrared spectroscopy. Mechanoactivation methods included ultrasonic action and mechanical treatment at sonic frequencies. Intense action on TiO2 and Fe2O3 aqueous disperse systems activated the surface of inorganic oxides and intensified the adsorption of the polymer. It also caused the formation of adsorption-solvation EHEC layers with increased densities, which determined the sedimentation stability of disperse systems.

Electrokinetic sonic amplitude method as applied to studying adsorption of high-molecular-mass compounds at interfaces

It is shown that the regularities of the adsorption of high-molecular-mass compounds on particle surfaces in disperse systems can be studied by the electrokinetic sonic amplitude method. Procedures are developed for calculating parameters of polymer adsorption layers and the quantitative analysis of their structure. The parameters of the adsorption layers are calculated by the example of a hydrophilic polymer, ethyl-hydroxyethylcellulose, and hydrophilic particles of titanium dioxide and iron oxide dispersed in aqueous disperse systems subjected and nonsubjected to an intense mechanical treatment. The treatment of the disperse systems in the field of intense wave vibrations is found to enhance the adsorption interaction.

Effect of mechanical activation on the structure of adsorbed polymer layers on the surface of pigment particles in aqueous disperse systems

In the context of the wide use of disperse systems, it is important to develop new methods for improving their quality and controllably changing their properties, including the production of aqueous suspensions of highly stable finely dispersed pigments used as components of paints and varnishes, oil and fuel additives, etc. Among the problems involved are surface phenomena; polymer adsorption on surfaces of different nature, especially in mechanical activation; and interfacial