Probe Diffusion in Polymer Solutions by Forced Rayleigh Scattering

Methyl red diffusion in polymer solutions was studied by a transient holographic method, forced Rayleigh scattering. In semi-dilute solutions of a polystyrene, where no specific interaction with the probe exists, we found within experimental uncertainty that the retardation of diffusion rate of methyl red is independent of the solvents used. This indicates that the hydrodynamic interaction in polymer coils is not affected by the nature of solvents enough to exhibit a detectable change in the diffusion rate of the probe. On the other hand, a substantial reduction of diffusion rate was observed in poly(methyl methacrylate) solutions in toluene. Together with the similar observation reported with poly(vinyl acetate), it is confirmed that hydrogen bond between the probe and the polymer is responsible for the retarded diffusion. The decay-growth-decay profile found in this system reveals a finite difference in diffusion coefficients of cis and trans isomer of methyl red. We estimate the difference and suggest that the cis isomer interacts with the polymer more strongly than the trans isomer.