Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a polymer compound with a wide range of applications, such as soil improvement, oil extraction, water treatment, etc. During these applications, polyacrylamide may be subjected to hydrolysis reactions.
The hydrolysis reaction of polyacrylamide refers to the reaction of amide bonds on the molecular chain of polyacrylamide in aqueous solution with water molecules to form acrylic acid and ammonia.
The chemical equation for the hydrolysis reaction is given below
pam + h₂o → acrylic acid + ammonia
During the reaction, the amide bonds in the polyacrylamide molecular chain are broken, producing acrylic acid and ammonia. Acryloylic acid is a highly acidic compound, while ammonia is an alkaline substance. The hydrolysis reaction changes the chemistry and properties of polyacrylamide.
The rate of hydrolysis reaction is affected by a variety of factors, mainly including:
Temperature: The rate of the hydrolysis reaction increases with increasing temperature.
pH value: under acidic conditions, the hydrolysis reaction rate is faster; Under alkaline conditions, the reaction rate is slower.
Structure of polyacrylamide: The molecular structure and molecular weight of polyacrylamide have an effect on the rate of hydrolysis reaction.
Presence of other substances in solution: The presence of certain ions or compounds may facilitate or inhibit hydrolysis reactions.
The hydrolysis reaction of polyacrylamide causes its molecular chain to break, which affects its molecular weight and viscosity. The hydrolysis reaction causes polyacrylamide to lose its primary function, so it is necessary to pay attention to the control of the hydrolysis reaction in practical applications.
The hydrolysis reaction may also cause polyacrylamide to form acrylic acid during water treatment, which can increase the acidity of the water treatment process. This requires the pH value of the water treatment process to be adjusted to ensure the water treatment effect.
To control the hydrolysis reaction of polyacrylamide, the following methods can be taken:
Select appropriate polyacrylamide varieties: Different varieties of polyacrylamide have different susceptibility to hydrolysis, and selecting varieties with better hydrolysis resistance can delay the hydrolysis reaction.
Controlling the pH value: The rate of the hydrolysis reaction can be controlled by controlling the pH value of the water treatment system during the application.
Control the temperature: Lowering the temperature can slow down the rate of the hydrolysis reaction.
Add inhibitors: Adding some inhibitors during water treatment can reduce the hydrolysis reaction of polyacrylamide.
The hydrolysis of polyacrylamide is an important reaction that may affect its application. Understanding the process, influencing factors, and control methods of hydrolysis reactions is of great significance for the proper use and handling of polyacrylamide.