Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a synthetic polymer renowned for its remarkable properties, making it a cornerstone in various industrial processes. Its efficacy stems from its unique molecular structure and the resulting behavior in aqueous solutions. NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD. leverages a deep understanding of polymer science to produce high-performance polyacrylamide for diverse applications.

Molecular Structure and Properties:

PAM is a long-chain polymer formed from acrylamide monomers. Its fundamental structure consists of repeating units of -[CH2-CH(CONH2)]-. The key to its versatility lies in its ability to be modified through hydrolysis, introducing ionic charges along the polymer backbone. This leads to the three main types:

  • Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM): Formed by hydrolyzing some amide groups into carboxylate groups (-COO-), resulting in a negative charge. The degree of hydrolysis (typically 10-30%) influences its performance.
  • Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM): Incorporates cationic functional groups, such as quaternary ammonium groups, during polymerization. This provides a positive charge.
  • Nonionic Polyacrylamide (NPAM): Retains the amide functional groups without significant hydrolysis, resulting in a neutral charge.

These polymers exhibit high molecular weights (ranging from millions to tens of millions), which are crucial for their effectiveness as flocculants and rheology modifiers.

Mechanisms of Action:

PAM's effectiveness in its primary applications is based on two main mechanisms:

  1. Charge Neutralization: For APAM and CPAM, the ionic charges on the polymer chains neutralize the opposite charges present on suspended particles (like clay, silt, or organic matter). This destabilizes the colloidal suspension, allowing particles to approach each other.
  2. Bridging: The long polymer chains of PAM can adsorb onto multiple suspended particles simultaneously, forming physical bridges between them. This effectively links individual particles into larger, more stable aggregates or flocs. This mechanism is particularly important for NPAM and also complements charge neutralization in APAM and CPAM.

In Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), the high molecular weight and viscosity-boosting properties of PAM are utilized to improve the sweep efficiency of injected water. In Drilling Fluids, PAM acts as a flocculant to remove drilled solids, a shale inhibitor to prevent wellbore instability, and a fluid loss reducer to maintain mud integrity. In Water Treatment, PAM's flocculation capabilities are paramount for clarifying water and dewatering sludge efficiently.

NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD. meticulously controls the polymerization process to ensure consistent quality and tailored properties for each PAM product, enabling optimal performance in these demanding industrial applications.