Studies on Copolymerization of Acrylamide and N-Vinylpyrrolidone

Abstract

Copolymers of acrylamide and N-vinylpyrrolidone were prepared using different techniques, viz., solution, precipitation, and inverse emulsion. Xylene was used as a continuous medium and sorbitane monooleate as a surfactant for the inverse emulsion technique. Acetone was used as a solvent in the precipitation technique. The initiator used in all the reactions was 2,2-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride. C, H, and N elemental analysis was used to determine the compositions of the copolymers formed. Reactivity ratios as determined by the Fineman and Ross method were found to be 0.61 and 0.05 for acrylamide and n-vinylpyrrolidone, respectively. Intrinsic viscosity measurements were made at temperatures ranging from 16 to 75°C.