Hydrophobically modified associating polyacrylamide (HAPAM) synthesized by micellar copolymerization at high monomer concentration

A series of hydrophobically modified polyacrylamides and their hydrolyzed derivatives containing both long hydrophobic groups C18 (<1.2 mol%), and carboxylic groups (20 mol%) have been prepared by micellar polymerization at high monomer concentration (19 wt%) and post-hydrolysis. 1H and 13C NMR elucidation of polymer microstructures displayed a good agreement with feed ratio. Post-hydrolysis process seems to be a more effective route to control the hydrolysis degree. Physico-chemical parameters determination by automatic continuous mixing (ACM) techniques in dilute solution shows the effect of the blocky distribution on the reinforcement of intramolecular hydrophobic association. Rheological measurements show potential thickening properties according to sticky reptation model.