The use of dielectric spectroscopy for the characterisation of the precipitation of hydrophobically modified poly(acrylic-acid) with divalent barium ions

The use of dielectric spectroscopy as a monitor for coagulation processes was investigated. Hydrophobically modified poly(acrylic-acid) polymers were used as model macromolecules and coagulated with barium ions. The coagulation process was quantified using a photometric dispersion analyser, thereby serving as a point of reference for the dielectric spectroscopy. It was found that the hydrophobic modification increased the dosage of barium needed to obtain complete coagulation, whereas the dosage required to initiate coagulation was lowered. The coagulation of the polymer samples caused the relaxation time of the measured dielectric dispersion to increase, and this parameter was found to be a good indicator of the formation of polymer aggregates. The magnitude of the dielectric dispersion decreased as a function of barium dosage, but when coagulation was initiated an increase was observed. The observed agreement between the onset of coagulation and the changes in the dielectric dispersion shows the potential use of dielectric spectroscopy for the characterisation of coagulation processes. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.