Polyethyl methacrylate. II. Dilute solution properties by viscosity and light scattering

Abstract

Abstract A polyethyl methacrylate polymer, prepared by the emulsion technique, was fractionated three times to obtain ten fractions. The intrinsic viscosity‐molecular weight relations were established in an ideal and in a nonideal solvent at 23°C. Light scattering measurements giving polymer dimensions were compared with the viscosity theories advanced by Debye‐Bueche, Kirkwood‐Riseman, and Flory‐Fox. The calculated values of the effective bond length b for polymethyl methacrylate and polyethyl methacrylate show that polymethyl methacrylate chain has greater hindrance to rotation than the polyethyl methacrylate chain. The results are explained by consideration of the free volume occupied by the solvent molecules.