Electrophoresis of Polyelectrolytes : I. Electrophoretic Study of Poly (vinyl alcohol)

Abstract

Electrophoretic study of poly(vinyl alcohol) using the Tiselius apparatus showed that the molecule in buffer solutions migrated towards the anode. The number of charges calculated from the mobility was larger than that determined by the conductometric titration: The difference was interpreted as the adsorption of salt-ions inside the polymer coil. The observed mobility was found to be dependent on the polymer concentration: this suggests the existence of inter-macro-ion interaction. The dependence of the mobility on the degree of polymerization was also examined but no appreciable difference was observed.