CROSS-LINKING REACTION OF POLYACRYLAMIDE WITH CHROMIUM(III)

The crosslinking of initially non-hydrolyzed polyacrylamide with chrom ium in its +3 valence state was investigated in this work. IR spectra showed that the gelation occurred when the polyacrylamide was hydrolyz ed, which implies that the gelation should take place at elevated temp erature under neutral condition. The gelation process was monitored by means of viscosity measurement. The addition of acetic acid to the sy stem might lead to the delay of gelation, owing to the synergistic eff ect of chelating with Cr(III) and acidity.