ADSORPTION AND RECONFORMATION OF A SERIES OF CATIONIC POLYACRYLAMIDES ON CHARGED SURFACES

The adsorption and adsorption stoichiometry for a series of high molecular weight cationic polyacrylamides of different charge density on cellulosic fibers are examined as functions of time. The time required for the reconformation of the polymer adlayer is of the order of one minute in all cases, but the results indicate a decrease in adsorption stoichiometry and reconformation rate with increasing polyelectrolyte charge density. Comparison of the adsorption/reconformation rates on cellulosic fibers with those on polystyrene latex shows the process to be more rapid for the latex. This result is attributed primarily to differences in the surface porosity of the substrates.