A study of supermolecular polarization of comb-like polycarboxylate admixtures synthesized with polyoxyethylene macromolecules

Comb-shaped polycarboxylic acid (PC) polymers are a new-generation of water reducers. In this study. PC admixtures were added to a deionized aqueous solution and the electrical conductivity was measured. It was found that the PC admixtures significantly increased the conductivity of the solution with maximum values reached at PC admixture concentrations between 20 and 25%. These results indicate that the degree of polarization was in connection with the molecular weight of the polyether macromolecules and the density of the polyether macromolecule arrangement in the comb-like polymers. The polarization of PC admixtures to water molecules was caused by polyethylene glycol radicals in the side chains of the macromolecules. Polyethylene glycol radicals were arranged in a zig-zag formation in water, thus forming a polarization body. The polarization body produced strong polarization to the water molecules, so the degree of ionization of the water increased; and accordingly, the electrical conductivity of the water increased. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.