Alumina interaction with AMPS-MPEG copolymers produced by RAFT polymerization: stability and rheological behavior

Different copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid sodium salt (AMPS), methoxypolyethyleneglycol methacrylate (MPEG), were prepared using two methods of radical polymerization: classical and RAFT-controlled radical polymerization. The effect of polymer structure and architecture on the adsorption behavior, electrokinetic and rheological properties of the alumina suspensions was investigated. Adsorption isotherms showed that copolymer interaction depended not only on the ratio of the monomers and their distribution within the macromolecular backbone, but also on the method of copolymerization. Electrokinetic analysis indicated that adsorption of the copolymer is accompanied by a shift in the isoelectric point (IEP) towards acid pH values. Above a certain concentration, of the order of 1 wt%, the absolute value of the zeta-potential reaches a saturation plateau. At this stage, the maximum zeta-potential value (in absolute value) depends on both the ratio of the monomers for statistical copolymer and the length of the two blocks in the case of block distribution. The rheological behavior is greatly affected in the presence of added polymer; the viscosity of the alumina suspension decreases and reaches an optimum, which depends on both the ratio of the monomers and their distribution within the macromolecular backbone. The viscoelastic properties of the suspensions were found to be functions of both the structure and the architecture of the copolymer. Adding AMPS-MPEG copolymer increases the stability of the suspension via electrostatic effects, but also via steric effects induced by the polyethylene glycol (PEG) segments. The steric contribution to the stabilization process is much important in the presence of block distribution, which is more efficient as dispersant for concentrated alumina suspensions.