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Estimation of Solubility Parameters from Refractive Index Data

Abstract

THE solubility parameter, δ, of a polymer or compound is a measure of intermolecular forces and is useful for the studies of many polymer characteristics, particularly glass transition temperatures1, solubilities and diffusion or transport properties.2 It is therefore highly desirable to have a convenient method for quickly estimating δ values of polymers. It was suggested by Hildebrand and Scott, and later by Scatchard, that solubility parameters could be calculated from optical data such as refractive index measurements3,4. In this article we report some semiempirical correlations between solubility parameters and refractive indices for a series of model compounds and polymers. This work refers only to hydrocarbon and other organic materials; further work would be required to determine if an extension to inorganic polymers is possible.

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LAWSON, D., INGHAM, J. Estimation of Solubility Parameters from Refractive Index Data. Nature 223, 614–615 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/223614a0

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