News
News
- What are the main factors affecting the viscosity of polyacrylamide?
- Drag reducing agent used for crude oil pipeline
- The main application of super absorbent polymer
- Correct selection method of polyacrylamide for mineral processing
- What is the degree of hydrolysis and ionic degree of polyacrylamide?
- What factors are related to the amount of polyacrylamide?
- Effect and distinction of polyacrylamide and decolorizing agent
- Causes and solutions of sludge whitening in sewage
- Application of polyacrylamide in the whole process of oil recovery
- Characteristics and application range of instant polyacrylamide
USES
Acrylamide is the building block for the polymer, polyacrylamide, which is considered a non-toxic additive. However, polyacrylamide may be contaminated with its toxic building block, acrylamide. To date there have been improvements in the polymerization process reducing the monomer content of these polymers from 5% to 0.3%. In addition, regulations have been set on the amount of acrylamide that is present in polyacrylamide. For example, a limit of 500ppm in polyacrylamide preparations (PAM) is used in agriculture or water treatment. Unfortunately, PAM hydrogels degrade releasing acrylamide and other toxic substances to the environment.
The polyacrylamides created have a wide range of high molecular weights which change its physical and chemical properties. As such polyacrylamides are created to suit many industrial applications.
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Polyacrylamide is used in genetics, genetic engineering and molecular biology laboratories as a matrix for separating nucleic acid components during DNA sequence analysis and protein identification known as gel electrophoresis. |
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Polyacrylamide is used largely as a flocculator. Flocculators are substances that aid the separation of suspended solids from aqueous systems.
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It is used in irrigation water to improve soil texture. This covers a million or more acres in the United States and large farmland areas worldwide. Polyacrylamide is known as a soil-conditioning agent, for example it is used as a medium for hydroponic growth of vegetables (tomatoes). |
Other:
- pesticide formulations to limit spray drift (This is known as a trade secret and is rarely reported.)
- cosmetic additives and contact lens
- monomer and intermediate in production of organic chemicals, such as n-methylalacrylamide
- polymer or copolymer synthesis of dyes
- photographic emulsions
- adhesive manufacture
- food processing
Figure 1. Industrial usage of polyacrylamide in the United States in 1987. The total amount of acrylamide used was 110 million lbs.
HAZARDS
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potent nerve toxin
- effects male reproduction
- causes birth defects
- cancer in animals and potentially humans although no conclusive tests have been made in humans
- cellular necrosis