Abstract
Poly(betaine)s based on poly(N-vinylimidazole) (PNVI) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), namely poly(carboxybetaine)s with one (PNVIB-1 and P4VPB-1) and two (PNVIB-2 and P4VPB-2) methylene groups between the opposite charges were prepared. Poly(betaine)s represent high dipolar materials with wide spectrum of unique and specific properties. Some of such properties are shown in this paper. Thus, the PNVIB-1 and P4VPB-1 are insoluble in water but the addition of salts promotes their solubility, whereas PNVIB-2 and P4VPB-2 are soluble both water and aqueous solution of salts as well as in methanol. Also, for all the polybetaines one of the most interesting properties in solid state is the formation of homogeneous blends with some inorganic salts in equimolecular amounts, they being a new type of organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Keywords: poly(carboxybetaine)s, anti-polyelectrolyte behaviour, poly(zwitterions), organic-inorganic hybrids