Entropy Drives Interpolymer Association in Water: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms.

ABSTRACT: Interpolymer association in aqueous solutions is essential for many industrial processes, new materials design, and the biochemistry of life. However, our understanding of the association mechanism is limited. Classical theories do not provide molecular details, creating a need for detailed mechanistic insights. This work consolidates previous literature with complementary isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate molecular mechanisms to provide such insights. The large body of ITC data shows that intermolecular bonds, such as ionic or hydrogen bonds, cannot drive association. Instead, polymer association is entropy-driven due to the reorganization of water and ions. We propose a unifying entropy-driven association mechanism

SUBMITTER: Benselfelt T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10993416 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature