Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
09:32
Cooling Rate Dependent Ellipsometry Measurements to Determine the Dynamics of Thin Glassy Films
Published on: January 26, 2016
8.6K
Weak Water-Polymer Interactions Govern Water Recrystallization in Nonwater-Soluble Polymers with High Glass
Makoto Gemmei-Ide1, Risa Tomita1, Kazuya Kuroda1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama 930-9555, Japan.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|October 24, 2025
Summary
Water recrystallization in polystyrene (PS) and analogs is driven by water molecule diffusion, not polymer chain movement. This occurs when thermal energy overcomes weak polymer-water interactions, independent of the glass transition temperature (Tg).
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Understanding water-polymer interactions is crucial for material applications.
- Previous studies linked sorbed water recrystallization to polymer glass transition temperature (Tg) in poly(meth)acrylates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the recrystallization behavior of water in polystyrene (PS) and its analogs.
- To determine the factors governing water recrystallization in these polymers.
- To compare water recrystallization mechanisms in PS with those in poly(meth)acrylates.
Main Methods:
- Variable-temperature mid-infrared (VT-mid-IR) spectroscopy.
- Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.
- Analysis of electrostatic characteristics and polymer-water interactions.
Main Results:
- Water recrystallization temperature (TRC) in PS and analogs did not correlate with Tg.
- TRC correlated with the electrostatic characteristics of the polymer's aromatic rings (π-H interactions).
- Water diffusion, not polymer chain mobility, triggers recrystallization in PS and poly(meth)acrylates.
Conclusions:
- A unified, diffusion-driven mechanism explains water recrystallization in polymers.
- The dominant factor (thermal activation vs. polymer dynamics) depends on water-polymer interaction strength.
- This study reveals distinct water-polymer interactions in PS compared to poly(meth)acrylates.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Polymer Classification: Crystallinity
3.7K
Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
3.7K
01:10Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria
2.2K
Recrystallization is a purification technique used to separate impurities from solid compounds. In this technique, no chemical reactions occur. Instead, it exploits physical properties only, specifically, the solubility differences between the desired compound and impurities, either at a single temperature or at different temperatures, and under other selected conditions. The solid-solution equilibrium (solubility equilibrium) of each component in the solution represents a binary phase...
2.2K
01:26Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
3.1K
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
3.1K
01:08Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers
2.7K
Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
2.7K
01:21Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
666
Polymorphism refers to the existence of a drug substance in multiple crystalline forms, known as polymorphs. Recently, this term has been expanded to include solvates (forms containing a solvent), amorphous forms (non-crystalline forms), and desolvated solvates (forms from which the solvent has been removed).
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
666
02:56Intermolecular Forces and Physical Properties
26.5K
26.5K