Flocculating capability reducing the water solutions of polyethylene oxide (PEO) during storage

Abstract

The changes of hydrodynamic characteristics and macromolecule dimensions of 0.2% water solution PEO are investigated depending on duration of the isothermal endurance. By the methods of viscosimetry, NMR and molecular-mass distribution it is ascertained that in the first 20-28 days of solution endurance the decrease of flocculating capability of PEO is caused by the change of polymer chains conformation, and during further storage - by the chains destruction.