Two-Step Synthesis of PolyCarboxylate Ether by Bulk and Solution Methods

Superplasticizers can be synthesized in different ways. The aim of this study is to present a two-step method for the synthesis of polycarboxylate ether and to investigate the temperature change in synthesis. In the first stage synthesis, the main chain and in the second stage synthesis, the side chains are created.

The synthesis of the primary copolymer was done by mass method and free radical mechanism. FTIR analysis was performed to identify the functional groups formed according to the predictions and to reach the desired copolymer. Then the copolymer viscosity was determined as a parameter determining the progression of the main chain length and in the second step, polycarboxylate ether was synthesized by solution using an optimized AA copolymer. First, FTIR analysis was performed to confirm the structure and HNMR test was performed to confirm the final synthesis. Then, GPC test was performed to determine the characteristics of the synthesized ether polycarboxylate, including the average molecular weight of the polymer and the molecular weight distribution curve, and MW and PDI values ​​were reported. Finally, the slump test was performed to confirm the performance.

With increasing the temperature of copolymer synthesis, the length of the main chain also increases and the intensity of this increase is higher at high temperatures, but on the other hand, temperatures higher than 70 ° C also caused the destruction of the copolymer, which was detectable in the form of viscosity reduction and discoloration of the solution. Therefore, the initial synthesis should be performed at 70 ° C for 8 hours. The synthesis of polycarboxylate ether with equal molar ratios and maintaining the same conditions and only at different temperatures showed that the best synthesis temperature is 70 ° C for 6 hours. By increasing the molecular weight of polycarboxylate ether, by increasing the side chain, a better slump and flow in concrete was created.