Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Interfacial Molecular-level Structures of Polymers and Biomacromolecules Revealed via Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy
Published on: August 13, 2019
Effect of side-chain carbonyl groups on the interface of vinyl polymers with water
Yukari Oda1, Ayanobu Horinouchi, Daisuke Kawaguchi
1Department of Applied Chemistry, ‡Education Center for Global Leaders in Molecular Systems for Devices, and §International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University , Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
Abstract:
The nature of the polymer-water interface in the poly(methyl 2-propenyl ether) (PMPE)-water model system is investigated by sum-frequency generation spectroscopy, which at the moment gives the best depth resolution among available techniques. PMPE, synthesized via living cationic polymerization, is structurally similar to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) except for lacking a carbonyl group. We here probe the polymer local conformation as well as the aggregation states of water at the interface. Comparing the results of our measurements to the PMMA-water system, the effect of a carbonyl group on the water structure at the interface is discussed. This knowledge should be crucial to the design and construction of highly functionalized polymer interfaces for bioapplications.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Aldehydes and Ketones with Water: Hydrate Formation
The formation of hydrates is a reversible reaction. Hydrate formation is influenced by steric and electronic factors accompanying the alkyl substituents on the carbonyl group: The rate of hydrate formation increases with a decrease in the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbonyl carbon. Hence,...
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Physical Properties of Alcohols and Phenols
Alcohols possess a higher boiling point than aliphatic hydrocarbons of...
Physical Properties of Carboxylic Acids

