The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

The cloud point temperature (Tcp) is a key thermal parameter for characterizing the phase transition behavior of thermoresponsive polymers. Herein, we introduce an electrochemical approach to define an electrochemical cloud point temperature (Tecp), which allows for more precise determination of phase transition temperatures and complements conventional Tcp measurements. Thermoamperometric measurements using an ultramicroelectrode were performed on oligomeric poly(arylene ether sulfone) (PES) as a model system to obtain real-time current–temperature (i–T) profiles. The Tecp was extracted from the i–T profiles and further analyzed in relation to changes in dynamic viscosity, solution temperature, and electrode impedance associated with the phase transition of PES.