Estimation of Copolymer/Water Interfacial Tensions Using Pendant Drop Tensiometry.

Copolymer/water interfacial tensions of statistical copolymers of styrene/ n-butyl acrylate were estimated by pendant drop tensiometry using an "inverse" configuration according to which a drop of water was formed in toluene/copolymer solutions. The study first involved the precise measurement of copolymer solutions density using pycnometry. Subsequently, interfacial tensions of copolymer solutions against water were plotted as a function of copolymer concentration in toluene.