Synthesis of Poly(maleic anhydride-co-taurine) as a Biodegradable Detergent Builder

Abstract

Biodegradable poly(maleic anhydride-co-taurine) was synthesized by anionic ring-opening copolymerization of maleic anhydride (MA) and taurine. The structures were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and mass spectroscopy. The weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the copolymers was tested using multi-angle laser light scattering instrument. The biodegradability of the copolymers was judged by the shaking table test method. The possibility of the copolymers to be a detergent builder was assessed in terms of the calcium sequestration capacity which was evaluated in accordance with the China National Standard method (GB/T 21884-2008) and dispersive power test. The results showed that the copolymers were biodegradable, and possessed a high calcium sequestration capacity and a good dispersancy, which were environment-friendly detergent builders.