THE INFLUENCE OF POLYELECTROLYTES ARCHITECTURE ON CALCIUM-SULFATE DIHYDRATE GROWTH-RETARDATION

The retarding influence of acidic acrylate and methacrylate polymers m ade by group transfer polymerization on the growth of calcium sulfate dihydrate was examined in aqueous solution. The variations with polyel ectrolyte charge, structure and molecular weight have been tested. The inhibition increases with the acid content of the polymers. Acrylates were much more effective than equivalent methacrylates. The higher in hibition efficiency is related to the maximum surface charge density d ue to adsorbed polymer. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.