| Abstract: | Viscosity and density data have been obtained for aqueous solutions of a monodisperse sample of 90% hydrolysed poly (vinylalcohol) PvOH and for solutions of PvOH in short chain alcohol/water mixtures. The results are interpreted in terms of a ‘dynamic’ flowing volume and a ‘static’ partial molar volume for the macromolecule. Changes in the size of the dynamic and static volumes of the polymer in alcohol/water solvent mixtures are shown to correlate closely with reported changes in the degree of solvent structure. A tentative explanation of the role of solvent structure in the solution behaviour of the polymer is proposed. |
