Nanoclusters and Sol-Gel Transition in Water Solutions of Rigid-Chain Polymers

We describe a mechanism of pre-transition process near the sol-gel transition temperature in the sol-phase of water solutions of rigid-chain polymers. During this process the water boundary layer is disordered, and voids are formed in it. The variation of density of the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose with temperature is measured experimentally for temperatures between 25 and 80 degrees C. The experiment supports the proposed mechanism.