Synthesis and Characterization of Acrylamide-based Anionic Copolymer and Investigation on Its Properties for Enhanced Oil Recovery

The copolymer of acrylamide (AM) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonate (AMPS) was synthesized through the radical solution polymerization using potassium persulphate as initiator. By changing the AMPS feed ratio from 10 to 70%, and keeping other reaction conditions constant, different copolymers were synthesized. The techniques of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H- 13 C-NMR) spectroscopy were used as tools for the identification of functional groups and the confirmation of the structure of the copolymers obtained. Intrinsic viscosity and appearance viscosity of sample was measured in aqueous sodium chloride solution under standard conditions. The anionic degree of copolymers was determined by back titration method and by 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Molecular weight of copolymers was determined by the Mark-Houwink relationship. The measured molecular weight of samples shows that we have reached a high molecular weight. Effect of different shear rate on solution viscosity was evaluated. The copolymer solutions showed a non-Newtonian shear thinning behavior. The performance of copolymers with respect to shear resistance and molecular weight were evaluated from point of view enhanced oil recovery application.