title: Synthesis of cationic polyelectrolytes by inverse microemulsion polymerization.
abstract: The inverse microemulsion copolymerization of acrylamide and [2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]- trimethylammonium chloride (Adamquat) was investigated using different reactors (batch, semicontinuous, and CSTR). It was found that formation of long branches through extensive intermolecular chain transfer occurred at low temperature (35 °C). Molecular weights and long branching levels were correlated and decreased as batch > semicontinuous > CSTR. These differences affected the performance of the copolymers as flocculants. Results indicated that successful flocculant should contain a good balance between short and long chains.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Polymer Materials (POLYMAT) and Grupo de Ingeniería Química, Departamento de Química Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, University of the Basque Country, Apdo. 1072, ES-20080 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Jesus M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ugalde
authors.forename: José C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de la Cal
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Asua