Commonly used cationic polymers mainly include Polyacrylamide (PAM), polyamines, polyquaternary ammonium polymers and Polyethyleneimine (PEI). The following is an introduction to the characteristics and main uses of these cationic polymers:
Polyacrylamine (PAM):
Characteristics: PAM is a synthetic polymer with acrylamide monomer polymerization. It can be divided into two types: nonionic (nonionic acrylamide monomer) and cationic (containing positively charged acrylamide monomer).
Uses:
Nonionic PAM is commonly used as a water treatment agent, soil conditioner and precipitant.
Cationic PAM is commonly used in the pulp and paper industry as a wet strength agent to improve the wet strength and printing performance of paper.
Polyquaternary ammonium salt polymers:
Polyquaternium is the international cosmetic ingredient name for polycationic polymers used in the personal care industry.INCI has approved at least 40 different polyquaternium polymers. The different polymers are distinguished by the numerical value following the word "polyquaternium". For example: polyquaternium-5, polyquaternium-6, polyquaternium-7, each is a chemically different type of polymer.
Characteristics: These polymers consist mainly of monomers polymerized in a quaternary ammonium structure and are strongly cationic.
Uses:
Used as a water treatment agent, scale inhibitor, dispersant, and to improve water quality.
In the pulp and paper industry as a wet strength agent, improve the wet strength of paper.
Used as softener, antistatic agent in textile industry.
Used as ionic polymers in personal care products and cosmetics.
Polyamines
Polyamine is a high cationic charge, low molecular weight water-soluble polymer with the appearance of colorless to light yellow viscous liquid. It is mainly used for coagulation and destabilization in the process of water treatment, especially for organic wastewater rich in proteins and fine fibers, which has a better treatment effect.
Polyethylene amine (PEI):
Characteristics: PEI is a polymer with high content of nitrogen atoms, rich in amine groups, and is a strong alkaline polymer.
Uses:
Used to precipitate suspended matter in wastewater and has the effect of removing turbid substances.
Used as a wet strength agent in the pulp and paper industry to improve the wet strength of paper.
These cationic polymers have different ionic properties, molecular weights and structures and are suitable for different applications. When selecting them for use, it is necessary to optimize the selection according to specific needs and application conditions, and pay attention to appropriate use concentration and operating conditions.