Adsorption of Poly-N-Ethyl-4-Vinylpyridinium Bromide on the Surface of Carboxylated Latex Particles: Composition and Structure of Interfacial Complex

Interaction between poly-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide and polystyrene latex particles, the surface of which is covered with methacrylic acid–polystyrene copolymer, was studied. The polycation adsorption on the particle surface was found to be a cooperative process which is accompanied by interface interpoly- electrolyte complex formation and neutralization of the surface charge. In the adsorbed macromolecules, about 75% of the poly- cation units form ionic contacts with negatively charged groups of the latex surface. In the presence of the excess polycation, the surface charge become positive, which results in termination of the polycation adsorption.