Structural insights into a novel molecular-scale composite of soluble poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) supporting uniformly dispersed nanoscale poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) particles

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 89; no. 3; pp. 734 - 741
• Main Authors: Hood, David K., Senak, Laurence, Kopolow, Steven L., Tallon, Michael A., Kwak, Yoon Tae, Patel, Drupesh, McKittrick, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 18.07.2003; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; film forming; nanotechnology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; poly(vinyl pyrrolidone); Properties and characterization; Structure, morphology and analysis; water-soluble polymers; Viscoelasticity; Chemical solution; Particle size; poly(vinyl pyrrolidone); Experimental study; Waterproofness; Pyrrolidone(vinyl) polymer; Linear polymer; Morphology; Crosslinked polymer; nanotechnology; Nanocomposite; film forming; water-soluble polymers
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.12200

Structural insights into a novel, molecular‐composite poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) consisting of a soluble, film‐forming poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) polymer and in situ formed, minute, crosslinked, nanoscale, insoluble poly [poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)] (PPVP) polymer particles are reported. A technique for determining the PVP molecular weight and PPVP weight fraction by gel permeation chromatography/multi‐angle light scattering (MALS) is described. Particle size studies by quasi‐elastic light scattering and field flow fractionation/MALS demonstrate that the nanoscale, insoluble polymer particles are nominally 370 and 325 nm in diameter, respectively. Rheological experiments on this dispersed system yield a complex macroscopic behavior. Atomic force microscopy images confirm a substantial heterogeneous nature for a film cast from this molecular‐composite material. Finally, this polymeric molecular composite in film form exhibits, among many other interesting properties, a dramatic enhancement in water resistance, as demonstrated by a simple image water resistance test for an ink‐jet printing application. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 734–741, 2003