| Abstract: | The interaction between ionizable carboxyl groups and the conformation of poly-(glutamic acid) (PGA) in aqueous solution were investigated by the mechanical method. The dynamic rigidity of the PGA solution has a maximum value at the pH corresponding to about 50% neutralization point. This may be due to establishing of a maximum attractive force by proton/charge fluctuation between ionizable carboxyl groups at that pH. The dynamic viscosity has a sharp change in the region of pH 5.5–6.5. It is suggested that this behavior is due to the helix–coil transition. |
