Carboxylate-Ended Poly(ethylene glycol) Macromonomers and their Copolymers as Inhibitors for Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Sulfate

Abstract

Carboxylate-ended poly(ethylene glycol) macromonomers, namely allylpolyethoxy carboxylate (APEC), were prepared by means of a carboxy methylation technique with the obvious advantage of energy conservation. APEC and acrylic acid (AA) were then used as monomers to obtain AA/APEC copolymers. Fourier-transform infrared spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance were employed to characterize AA/APEC structure. Observations showed that AA/APEC was a much better inhibitor both for calcium phosphate and calcium sulfate compared to the commercial inhibitors, and it was also an effective inhibitor, even at elevated temperature, pH, Ca²⁺ and Fe²⁺ concentration or in the presence of biocides.

Keywords:

• calcium phosphate
• calcium sulfate
• carboxy methylation
• inhibitor

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (50873026); Nature Science Fund of Jiangsu Province (BK2011691); and the Support Program for Training of 333 High Level Talent, Jiangsu Province of China (BRA2010033).