Synthesis and characterization of hydrophobically modified cationic acrylamide copolymer

Hydrophobically modified cationic acrylamide copolymers were synthesized by free radical solution copolymerization using potassium persulfate as the initiator. Epichlorohydrin, acrylamide, and tridodecylamine were used to synthesize the hydrophobically modified cationic monomer, i.e., 3-acrylamido2-hydroxypropyltridodecylammonium chloride (AHPTDAC), which was then copolymerized with acrylamide. The intrinsic viscosity, molecular weight, and charge density of the copolymers depend on the ratio of AHPTDAC and acrylamide used. Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to elucidate the structure of the copolymer. The solid copolymer is insoluble in water but only swells in the aqueous medium.