Synthesis of a Novel Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer with Hyperbranched Structure

It is well established that the performance of super-plasticizer (PCE) is mostly determined by its molecular structure. This research tends to combine PCE with hyperbranched polymer and design PCE molecule structure, aiming to enhance the water-reducing performance of PCE. Here, a novel PCE with hyperbranched molecular structure (HBPCE) was synthesized through two steps. With diallylamine, methyl propenoate and trihydroxymethylpropane as raw material, firstly, a hyperbranched monomer B was successfully synthesized. Then through free radical polymerization of methylallylpoly oxygenethene ether 2400 (HPEG 2400), propenoic acid (AA) and the monomer B in aqueous solution, the final product HBPCE was obtained. H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) measurements were used for structural characterization, and gel chromatography was used to measure the molecular weight distribution of HBPCE. In addition, performances of HBPCE in cement paste were investigated. It is concluded that HBPCE has a good dispersing effect on cement paste and the water reduction ratio is up to 38.6%.