Synthesis and Solution Properties of Ampholytic Acrylamide Ionomers

The synthesis and semiconcentrated and dilute solution properties of two series of ampholytic acrylamide ionomers, poly(acrylamide MPTMA/AMPS) and poly(acrylamide METMA/MES), are reported as a function of the ionic content and added salt concentration. The viscosity dependence on shear rate was measured with a cone/plate Brookfield viscometer for sermiconcentrated solution and with a Cannon-Ubbelohde four-bulb shear dilution capillary viscometer for dilute solution at 25 ± 0.1°C. The two series of ampholytic acrylamide ionomers showed a characteristic pseudoplastic shear-thinning behavior under both conditions. The semiconcentrated solution viscosity parameters m and n in the power-law model, η = mγ^n-1, were determined and found to be functions of the ionic content. The viscosity at selected shear rates was found to be a complex function of the salt concentration. The intrinsic viscosity η] was determined and compared with molecular parameters determined by light scattering under identical conditions. The dilute-solution properties of the ampholytic ionomers were found to resemble the properties of neutral polyacrylamide previously reported in the literature.