Static laser light scattering (SLLS) investigations of the scattering parameters of a synthetic polymer

A laser light scattering system was built to study the scattering parameters of some materials in solution form. The light source used was an argon-ion laser at wavelength 488 nm (all lines). The investigated material was a synthetic polymer which has a wide range of applications in the field of teeth medicine applications. This is polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) which is used for the formation of artificial clamps. The PMMA was solved in both acetone and methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK). The acetone solvent is chosen for its high specific refractive index increment dn/dc at the same wavelength 488 nm as the argon laser source. The angular distribution of the scattered laser light intensities of PMMA dissolved in acetone was measured at different scattering angles from 30 to 150° for each concentration. The angular distributions have a symmetrical behavior about the scattering angle pi/2; by using the scattered intensities the Zimm plot was formed. The weight average molecular weight (WAMW) was determined, the two other scattering parameters like as radius of gyration, h, and the second verial coefficient, A2 were determined.