Synthesis of Poly(AA-co-AMPS) and its Behaviour vs. pH of Reaction Media

A new type of super-absorbent polymer has been synthesised and studied. The group of polymers studied were obtained by free radical solution polymerisation of acrylamide and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid with sodium persulphate used as an initiator. These copolymers were produced at different pH values, and the swelling behaviour in water was studied or, alternatively, viscosity was determined whenever measurable by conventional viscometry. It was demonstrated that the extent of swelling of the copolymers changed at the different values of pH in the reaction solution. Above pH = 5 in the reaction medium the polymers get solubilised in water, a circumstance in which special attention was paid to viscosity measurement. Preliminary interpretation of this behaviour is presented.