EFFECT OF INORGANIC SALTS UPON THE STABILITY OF ACRYLAMIDE EMULSIONS

It was established that increased stability of reverse emulsions of aq ueous solutions of acrylamide in cyclohexane stabilized with sorbitan monostearate in the process of polymerization can be achieved by intro ducing salts of groups II and III in the quantity of 2-6 mmole per lit er of aqueous phase. In the presence of zinc sulfate in the said quant ity a rise of emulsifier solubility in the aqueous phase is observed, as well as an increase in its surface activity at the phase boundary. On the basis of IR spectroscopy data it was suggested that the effect observed results from the formation of complexes between the salt cati ons and sorbitan groups of the emulsifier. The stabilizing effect of s alts upon the reverse emulsions increases if acrylamide is present in the aqueous phase, this being most probably due to the rise of emulsif ier solubility in the aqueous phase. Small quantities of salts added i nto the aqueous phase reduce the amount of coagulum forming in emulsio n polymerization of acrylamide.