| Abstract: | Vinyl alcohol/vinyl propionate (VAL/VP) copolymers with different microstructure were prepared by two different methods, i.e. partial alkaline hydrolysis of poly(vinyl propionate) and by partial esterification of poly(vinyl alcohol). 13C-NMR results show that vinyl propionate units have an alternating tendency in VAL/VP copolymers prepared by esterification and a block distribution in VAL/VP copolymers when they are prepared by hydrolysis. The water absorption characteristics of VAP/VP copolymers have been studied. VAL/VP copolymers with a block sequence distribution exhibit a higher water absorption ability as compared with VAP/VP copolymers with a random sequence distribution and similar chemical composition. These results can be interpreted considering the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bondings as well as due also to steric hindrances effects. Sodium salicylate release studies from VAL/VP copolymers show that release is faster in VAL/VP copolymers prepared by hydrolysis according to its higher swelling ability in water. |
