The agglomeration of high molecular mass polyacrylamide in aqueous solutions

✍ Scribed by R. Hecker; P. D. Fawell; A. Jefferson

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 232 KB
• Volume: 70
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-8995
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4628(19981212)70:11<2241::aid-app18>3.0.co;2-7

✦ Synopsis

Size distribution information was used to monitor time-dependent agglomeration in aqueous solutions of a high molecular mass polyacrylamide. Although the individual polymer molecules had diameters in the order of 0.4 m, a high number of agglomerates were seen that may contain four to six polymer chains. As the solution age increased, a significant level of larger microgels (2-15 m) were also detected. The addition of salts or organic cosolvents modified the solvation properties, altering the extent and rate of agglomeration. The presence of 2%-v/v formamide had a significant effect, substantially reducing agglomeration and increasing solution stability.