Adsorption of poly(4-tert-butylphenyl methacrylate) on silica from THF/water

Adsorption studies of poly(4-tert-butylphenyl methacrylate) (PBPh) on silica from a binary solvent (THF/water) are reported. In order to investigate the influence of the composition of the binary solvent on the adsorption of the polymer on a special silica with hydrophobic surface, measurements of the adsorption isotherms were carried out using Aerosil R-972. The adsorption isotherm of PBPh for the hydrophobic silica/THF solution interface exhibits higher values than the isotherms for hydrophobic silica/aqueous THF solution interfaces. The amount of adsorbed polymer decreases when the water content of the binary mixture increases. The results are discussed in relation to the effects of preferential adsorption of one of the solvents by the polymer.