Investigations of polyelectrolyte-transition metal ion association in mixed solvents

Summary Association between a typical polyelectrolyte, e.g. poly-(acrylic acid), and a divalent metal ion (e.g. Cu(II)) has been studied using different water-methanol mixtures. Preferential solvation coefficients (/c) have been calculated for various solvent compositions. Excellent agreement has been observed between minimum (/c), lowest ] and reduced viscosity (sp/c) of the complexes at a specific composition of the solvent. Interpretations have been sought in terms of polyelectrolyte conformational change at this solvent composition.