Solvent-polymer interactions in associative polymer/aqueous media systems

International audienceLight scattering measurements in the dilute regime (C < C*) of the amphiphilic hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (HMHEC) have shown a metastable equilibrium of solubility in pure water. As a consequence such ageing solutions present a great instability and in severe conditions of added NaCl or temperature, a demixion has been evidenced. In a more concentrated range of concentration, aqueous solutions of HMHEC possess higher viscosity than HEC precursor due to intermolecular hydrophobic associations. But in a 1M NaCl/ethanol mixture this effect is greatly weakened