Abstract
A homogeneous complex solution, formed through inter‐polyelectrolyte complexation of poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) (P(AM‐AA)) with poly(acrylamide‐co‐dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (P(AM‐DMDAAC)) and interaction of the P(AM‐AA)/P(AM‐DMDAAC) complex with M^n+^ hydrated metal ion, was prepared and the structure and properties of the P(AM‐AA)/P(AM‐DMDAAC)/M^n+^ homogeneous complex solution were studied by UV spectrometry, dynamic light scattering and viscometry. The experimental results show that the homogeneous complex solution can be obtained by controlling the composition of the P(AM‐AA)/P(AM‐DMDAAC) complex and the M^n+^ metal ion content. Compared to the constituents, ie the P(AM‐AA) solution, the P(AM‐DMDAAC) solution and the P(AM‐AA)/P(AM‐DMDAAC) complex solution, the P(AM‐AA)/P(AM‐DMDAAC)/M^n+^ complex solution has a new peak at 270 nm in its UV spectrum, a larger hydrodynamic radius, and hence a higher solution viscosity, all of which indicate that there exist specific interactions between polymers and M^n+^ metal ions. These interactions lead to the formation of a network structure and hence an obvious increase not only in solution viscosity but also in resistance of the polymer solution to simple salts, to temperature changes and to shearing.
© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry