Effect of pH, Temperature and Monomer Mole Ratios on the Swelling Properties of Polyethylene Oxide-Polymethacrylic Acid- Polyacrylamide (PEO-PMAA-PAAM) Interpolymer Complex (IPC)

Swelling characteristics and physicochemical properties of the complexation process between a polycarboxylic acid (polymethacrylic acid, PMAA) and non-ionic polymers, polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyacrylamide (PAAM), were studied. The presence of both strong and weak hydrogen bonding in the (PEO-PMAA-PAAM) interpolymer complexes (IPCs) have been correlated with their swelling behavior. Information about the molecular transport of liquid into the polymer matrix of (PEO-PMAA-PAAM) can be clarified by understanding the interpolymer complex equilibrium swelling behavior. The effect of contact time on the swelling extent of the (IPC) samples with aqueous solution, pH, temperature and the monomer mole ratios of MAA and AAM were investigated. The optimum swelling conditions were found to be at pH 7, 30°C and 180 minutes of contact time. Increasing the monomer mole ratio of the non-ionic monomer (AAM) resulted in an improvement in the degree of swelling as a function of both time and temperature. The swelling behavior of the prepared (IPC) showed compatible swelling performance which can be used in bio-filtration process. Swelling/de-swelling cycles were used to examine the structure stability and the swelling performance of the (IPC). Due to its structural stability and high swelling performance, IPC with MAA: AAM (1:1) monomer mole ratio could be used for an extended number of swelling/de-swelling cycles.