When polycation and polyanion mix together in aqueous solution, because of the electrostatic interaction between these two, polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) form. Complex coacervation is the phase separation of a macromolecular solution composed of two oppositely charged polymers into two immiscible liquid phases. As the nonstoichiometric ratio of two oppositely charged polymers changes, three different phases, clear solution, coacervate and precipitate, were presented. In this work, we explored the phase separation and complex coacervation of Poly(diallyldimethylammoniumchloride) and Poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) system with small molecules, such as Methylene Blue and Bromothymol Blue. These small molecules have significant effects on formation of coacervate as well as the rheological and physical properties of this system. We investigated the influence on phase separation by turbidity measurement, UV-vis measurement, zeta potential and fluorescence measurement. Dynamic rheometer was used to study rheological properties of the complex coacervates.

Effects of small molecules on coacervation of poly(diallyldimethylammoniumchloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)

254th National Meeting (2017)

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