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Thickening mechanism of water-soluble polymer in the presence of Ca2+ and Na+

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Abstract

Hydrophobic-associated polymer is widely used as thickener in the presence of Ca2+ or Na+. Three polymers including partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and hydrophobically associating polymers (CHAP and CBHAP) were used to clarify the thickening mechanism. The fractal aggregation process, microstructure and the interaction between polymers and metal ions were investigated by using laser light scattering, scanning electron microscope and ion meter. The experimental results show that dehydration and electrostatic shielding cause the reduction of viscosity in the presence of Ca2+ and Na+. The amounts of flocculates and the high chelating concentration demonstrate the strong interaction between polymer chains and metal ions. By improving the hydrophobicity of both polymer main chains and side chains, the interaction is weakened, as a result, complete and independent special network and low chelating concentration of CBHAP are found, respectively. The results may provide a good strategy for the design of salt-resistant polymers.

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Acknowledgements

The research is supported by Open Fund (LYJ1904) of Sichuan Provincial University Key Laboratory of Green Catalysis, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project (S202010638078) of China West Normal University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637002, China

    Feng Jiang, Huan Wang, Zhuangjie Ye & Shishi Pang

  2. Petroleum Engineering School, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500, China

    Wanfen Pu

  3. Sichuan University of Science and Engineering, Zigong, 643002, China

    Bin Xu

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  1. Feng Jiang
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  2. Huan Wang
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Correspondence to Feng Jiang.

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Jiang, F., Wang, H., Ye, Z. et al. Thickening mechanism of water-soluble polymer in the presence of Ca2+ and Na+. Polym. Bull. 79, 7909–7921 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-021-03886-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-021-03886-5

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