Polyacrylamide (PAM) is an important water treatment agent. In the water treatment process, polyacrylamide undergoes a hydrolysis reaction to produce two substances: polyacrylamide degradation products and polyacrylamide hydrolysate. This article will introduce each of these products.
Polyacrylamide degradation products refer to the substances formed by the decomposition of polyacrylamide molecules after being subjected to hydrolysis or other chemical reactions during water treatment. These degradation products include:
Acrylamide monomer: After polyacrylamide undergoes hydrolysis reaction, some polymer molecules will be broken down into acrylamide monomer.
Acrylamide polymers: Some polyacrylamide molecules undergo hydrolysis reactions, but the product is still an acrylamide polymer, only with a change in chain length or molecular weight.
Nitrogen: The nitrogen atoms in the polyacrylamide molecule have the potential to be reduced to nitrogen during water treatment.
Other organic and inorganic substances: Polyacrylamide molecules may chemically react with other substances during water treatment to form some organic and inorganic substances.
The formation of polyacrylamide degradation products is unavoidable, especially in high temperature or strong acid-base environments, where polyacrylamide molecules are more prone to hydrolysis. The impact of these degradation products on the aquatic environment and biological systems requires further research and evaluation.
Polyacrylamide hydrolysate
Polyacrylamide hydrolysate refers to the substance formed by the decomposition of polyacrylamide molecules through hydrolysis reaction during water treatment. The products after hydrolysis of polyacrylamide include:
The types and characteristics of polyacrylamide hydrolysates depend on the conditions of the hydrolysis reaction and the structure of polyacrylamide. Different hydrolysates may play different roles in the water treatment process, and the impact on the aquatic environment and biological systems also needs to be studied and evaluated in depth.
In summary, polyacrylamide degradation products and polyacrylamide hydrolysates are formed after hydrolysis reactions during water treatment. These products may have an impact on the aquatic environment and biological systems and require further research and evaluation. In practical applications, it is necessary to select the appropriate polyacrylamide type and control the dosage according to the specific situation to ensure the safety and efficiency of the water treatment process.