Abstract: | In order to obtain information about the thermodynamic behaviour of copolymers in solution, we built an automatic flow microcalorimeter equipped with a computer that satisfies the requirements of accuracy, reliability, and rapidity for the measurement of heats of dilution of copolymer solutions. By using this apparatus, the heats of dilution of the random copolymer, poly[styrene-ran-(butyl methacrylate)] in ethyl methyl ketone solutions were measured at 298 K. Furthermore, light scattering of the copolymer and its constituent homopolymer solutions was measured at 298 K. From the combination of the heat of dilution and the light scattering results, thermodynamic and intramolecular interaction parameters of the copolymer chain were determined. |