AQUEOUS-SOLUTION PROPERTIES OF POLY(TRIMETHYL ACRYLAMIDO PROPYL AMMONIUM IODIDE) [POLY(TMAAI)]

The aqueous solution properties of a cationic poly (trimethyl acrylamido propyl ammonium iodide) [poly (TMAAI)] were studied by measurements of reduced viscosity, intrinsic viscosity, and flocculation test. The reduced viscosity and intrinsic viscosity of this cationic polyelectrolyte were related to the types and concentration of added salt. ''Soft'' salt anions were more easily bound on the quaternary ammonium (R4N+) of poly (TMAAI) than those of ''hard'' salt anions. Halide anions are hard anions; consequently, hard cations were more easily attracted to halide anions for reducing the binding degree of halide anion on the quaternary ammonium group (R4N+). Some salt ions were observed to strongly attract the quaternary ammonium of the cationic polymeric side chain for coagulation of the polymers. This effect would make the polymeric aqueous solution become turbid. The intrinsic viscosity behavior for cationic polyelectrolyte resulting from the electrostatic repulsive force of the polymer chain is contrasted with polyampholyte. A comparison of various flocculants as to the effect of flocculation was also studied. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.