Controlling the swelling and rheological properties of hydrophobically modified polyacrylic acid nanoparticles: Role of pH, anionic surfactant and electrolyte

- The solutions properties are dramatically affected when the pH increases above 6.5.
- At low pH, the polymer is weakly charged and the interaction with the solvent is poor.
- At pHs above 6.5, the solution becomes a transparent gel with solid-like behavior.
- At low pH, the addition of anionic surfactant promotes the swelling of the polymer.
- Surfactant binding to the polymer is strength when surfactant chain length increases.