Synthesis and behavior of the polymer covering on a solid surface. II. Effect of the adsorbent particle size on adsorption

Adsorption of poly(5-tert-butylperoxy-5-methyl-1-hexen-3-yne-co-maleic anhydride) and poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) on the various ultrafine powders (TiO₂, ZnO, Al₂O₃, CaCO₃, aerosil, and quartz powder) was studied. Plateau adsorption amount per unit surface of adsorbent (a^s) decreased with the decreasing of particle size of the adsorbent. The a^s-molecular mass relationship was different for copolymers of low and high molecular mass. The fractal dimension D = 2.5 of adsorbent surface was determined if the particle radius was less than 2.5 μm. Fractal behavior was explained by aggregation of particles. Due to the aggregation the interparticle space (pore) in the area of contact of neighboring particles is inaccessible for the polymer and accessible for the solvent. The experimental isotherm with maximum was employed for estimation of the volume of inaccessible pores 2.4 cm³/g for suspension of aerosil. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 299–305, 1998