Solution and membrane properties of zwitterionic polymers

Abstract

Abstract The aqueous solution properties of poly(4‐vinylpyridinium sulfopropylbetaine) (PVPyPS, systematic name: poly{1‐[1‐(3‐sulfonatopropyl)pyridinium‐4‐yl]ethylene} ( 1 )) and poly(3‐methacryloylethoxycarbonylpyridinium sulfopropylbetaine) (PMAPS, systematic name: poly{1‐methyl‐1‐[2‐[1‐(3‐sulfonatopropyl)pyridinium‐3‐ylcarbonyloxy]ethoxycarbonyl]ethylene} ( 2 )) are investigated. Polymers 1 and 2 are soluble only in salt solutions and their intrinsic viscosity increases with increasing salt concentration, this being a common property of poly(sulfobetaine)s. Hydrogel membranes containing PVPyPS are opaque in pure water but become transparent in salt solution.