Macromolecular Solution Structure and Intermolecular Interactions

An experimental study of the solution structure of latex particles is conducted using dynamic and static light scattering. The static structure factor is determined as a function of polymer concentration and ionic strength. Variation in ionic strength is used to modify the effective size of the particles determined by the extent of their counterion atmospheres. Alterations in polymer concentration introduce variations in number and location of nearest neighbor shells. Application of the Percus- Yevick and hypernetted-chain equations allow interpretations in terms of intermolecular interaction potentials for data obtained from simulation generated by using potentials derived from the solution of Possion's equation, and inverted structure factors.