Аннотация
Abstract Novel linear and crosslinked copolymers of acrylic acid and Schiff base, containing the amine groups in the main chain and the carboxylic groups in the side chain, have been synthesized by the Michael addition reaction followed by radical copolymerization. The copolymers that exhibited poly(ampholyte–electrolyte) behaviour were used to prepare complexes by reaction with anionic (poly(acrylic acid), poly(styrene sodium sulfonate)), cationic (polyethyleneimine, poly(hexamethylene guanidine)) and non‐ionic (poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol)) polymers. The influence of external factors, such as solvent quality, temperature, pH and ionic strength, on phase (coil–globule) and volume (swelling–collapse) transitions has been studied. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry