How is solubility affected by polymer chain structure?

1 Answer
Sep 8, 2014

The general principle is that "like dissolves like".

Thus, polar molecules like poly(acrylic acid), poly(acrylamide), and poly(vinyl alcohol) are soluble in water.

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Nonpolar polymers such as polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl chloride), and poly(isobutylene) are soluble in nonpolar solvents.

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Long chains can be densely entangled. This makes it difficult for solvent molecules to penetrate. So longer chains dissolve more slowly than short ones.

As crosslinking increases, solubility decreases. A high degree of crosslinking prevents polymer chains from escaping into solution.