| In this thesis, studies on association behavior of rod-coil diblock polymer chains, zwitterionic polyelectrolyte chains, uniform polystyrene clusters, novel poly(β-alanine) dendrimers and the formation of the block copolymer PS-b-PMMA and PS(OH) complexes, conformation distribution of polymer chains in solution have been carried out by the combination of static and dynamic laser light scattering.; In Chapter 2, the theories of static and dynamic light scattering (LLS) as well as the details of the instrument set-up are introduced.; In Chapter 3, reaction induced self-assembly behavior of rod-coil diblock polymer chains is reported for the first time: Polyacetylene (PA) is so intractable that its applications have been hindered. We demonstrated that upon heating a diblock copolymer of 4-methyl styrene and phenyl vinylsulfoxide (MS- b-PVSO) in tetrahydrofuran, the soluble and flexible PVSO block could be converted into an insoluble and rigid PA block via a chemical reaction.; In Chapter 4, the association of a zwitterionic polyelectrolyte chains, poly(N,N-dimethyl methacrylamido propyl ammonium propiolactone) is studied: A combination of apparent weight averaged molar mass, Mw , root mean-square z-average radius of gyration, <R2 g>z1/2 and hydrodynamic radius weight distribution, w(Rh) was used to monitor the interchain association/dissociation and the intrachain extension/contraction of a zwitterionic polycarboxybetaine.; In Chapter 5, thermal decomposition kinetics and structure of novel polystyrene clusters are investigated: Polystyrene clusters were prepared by using a trace amount of 4-methacryloyloxy 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxy (MTEMPO) as a branching agent. Such clusters can undergo a thermal decomposition into linear chains at temperatures higher than 100°C, the decomposition kinetics and cluster structure were studied by laser light scattering.; In Chapter 6, Novel 2–4 generation poly(β-alanine) dendrimers have been prepared. They are soluble in a proper DMF/methanol mixture. Under acid condition, each branching end can be protonized into a −NH 3+ group so that they became dendritical ionomers. Such dendritical ionomers could undergo a controllable acid-induced self-association, resulting in soluble and stable aggregates.; In Chapter 7, the formation of the complexation induced assembly of the block copolymer PS-b-PMMA and PS(OH) in the concentration range of 1 × 10−6–5 × 10−4 g/mL in toluene was studied by using static and dynamic laser light scattering. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
