Abstract

Poly(acryloxyethyl-triethylammonium chloride-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(Q-co-H)] was prepared by free radical polymerization in aqueous solution at 60 degrees C using potassium persulfate as initiator. Spectroscopic characterization confirmed the formation of poly(Q-co-H) and the molar fractions of acryloxyethyl-trimethylammonium chloride monomer units incorporated in the copolymers were determined by potenciometric titrations. The monomer reactivity ratios for Q and H are found to be r(Q) = 0.04 +/- 0.01 and r(H) = 3.22 +/- 0.84 using Fineman-Ross method and r(Q) = 0.06 and r(H) = 3.61 using Genetic Algorithms method. Finally we studied reaction between poly(Q-co-H) and sodium alginate by conductimetric measurement. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.