Dilute solution properties of anionic poly(potassium‐2‐sulfopropylmethacrylate)

Abstract

The dilute solution properties of an anionic polyelectrolyte, poly(potassium-2-sulfopropylmethacrylate) [poly(SPM)], are studied by measurements of polymerization rate, intrinsic viscosity, degree of binding, ionic strength, and critical micelle concentration. The polymerization of SPM in 0.5M NaCl aqueous solution proceeded more easily than that of SPM in pure water. The polymerization rate of SPM is found to pass through an extreme value as a function of pH. The intrinsic viscosity of this polyelectrolyte is related to the type and concentration of the salt added. The intrinsic viscosity for anionic polyelectrolyte resulting from the electrostatic repulsive force of the polymer chain is in contrast with the polyampholyte. The polyelectrolyte in a high concentration of NaCl has a low degree of binding, indicating that the proton ion (H+) is relatively difficult to bind to the sulfonate group (SO−3) at the polymer end. An increase in ionic strength causes the pKa (dissociation constant) to decrease at the half-neutralization point. The monomer solutions exhibit a plot typical of those observed for detergents, with a break in the curve occurring at the critical micelle concentration. For the polymer solutions, no break in the equivalent conductance curve was found for the concentrations studied. The polymer is adapted for use as viscosity-controlling agents in secondary oil recovery operations by water flooding. We have the proposed models to account for the poly(SPM) solution viscometrics. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.