Ion binding from conductance and transference measurements in salt-free aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions

Abstract

The results of conductance and transference measurements on dilute, salt-free aqueous solutions of poly(4-vinyl-N-n-butyl pyridinium bromide) and poly(vinylbenzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) are recorded. From conductance and transference data the charge fraction of the polyions is found to remain essentially constant with dilution down to concentrations of less than 10^–4 equiv/l. The principles of the methods used and the experimental details are critically discussed and the results compared with recent theories of ion binding in polyelectrolyte solutions. The effects of the dielectric constant of the solvent and of the temperature have been briefly studied and factors influencing the electrochemical properties of polyelectrolyte solutions are discussed.