Wet-end properties of cationic graft terpolymerized polyacrylamides

To improve the wet-end properties of linear-type copolymerized polyacrylamide (co-PAM), three types of cationic co-PAM were prepared by graft copolymerization, and their effects on the drainage, paper strength, and filler retention were investigated. Of the three synthesized terpolymers, dextrin-acrylamide-2-(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate graft terpolymers (Dex-graft-(AMDMAEMA)) moderately improved the wet-end properties compared with the other two graft terpolymers prepared. Notably, addition of 0.1% (on dry pulp) Dex-graft-(AMDMAEMA) showed high filler retention of 78%. All of the prepared graft terpolymers showed equal or improved wet-end properties compared with acrylamide-2(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate copolymer (AMDMAEMA), which is a standard cationic co-PAM of similar moleculer weight.