Water-soluble copolymers. I. Biodegradability and functionality of poly[(sodium acrylate)-co-(4-vinylpyridine)]

As a biodegradable functional polymer, poly[(sodium acrylate)-co-(4-vinylpy ridine)] [P(SA-co-4VP)] containing a small amounts of 4-vinylpyridine group s were prepared and their biodegradability, dispersity, and complex perform ance were analyzed. The polymers can be useful as detergent builders and di spersants. It was found that the biodegradation of P(SA-co-4VP) was more co nspicuous when content of the 4-vinylpyridine in the copolymer was larger. This indicates that the 4-vinylpyridine, which acts as biodegradable segmen ts, should be incorporated into the polymer main chain in such a manner tha t they are digested by activated sludge. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.