Cooperative character of the conformational transitions in polymer chains synthesized on the surface of solids

The conformational rearrangements in PVA and PMMA chains synthesized on the surface of Aerosil have been investigated by IR spectroscopy on competing adsorption of low molecular weight adsorbates - expellants - and also with change in the concentration of the surface OH groups. A new class of cooperative transitions has been established in the macromolecules of the 'order-disorder' type associated with the collective character of the rupture of the hydrogen bonds between the functional groups of the polymers and surface adsorption centres.