Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Carboxylic Polymers with Low Molecular Weight as Inhibitors for Calcium Carbonate Scale

Abstract

Poly acrylic acid (PAA) and polyepoxysuccinic acid (PESA) were investigated as scale inhibitors. The static experiments certified that PAA was superior to PESA for the inhibition of calcium carbonate in the low molecular weight range. The X-ray diffraction patterns suggest that the effect of PAA on the calcite (1 0 4) and (1 1 0) crystal plane was more obvious. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the surface morphology of the depositions, which indicated that the addition of scale inhibitors could disturb the normal growth of CaCO3 scale. The transmittance ratio of ferric oxide demonstrated that PAA had a better dispersion performance than PESA. The molecular dynamics simulation and quantum calculation were selected to theoretically explore the mechanism and structure of scale inhibitors, indicating that the interaction of PAA with (1 0 4) and (1 1 0) calcite crystal surfaces was stronger than PESA. In addition, the results indicated that the PAA with negative charge more easily adsorbed free Ca2+ in the aqueous phase. Based on these observations, PAA exhibited better scale inhibition and dispersion effects than PESA in the case of low molecular weight.

Poly(acrylic acid) nanocomposites: Design of advanced materials

“…[1][2][3] It is a water soluble, non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymer. 4,5 PAA can be cross-linked to form a stable structure. 6 Cross-linking PAA enhances the mechanical properties.…”

Polyacrylic Acid Nanoplatforms: Antimicrobial, Tissue Engineering, and Cancer Theranostic Applications

“…A stable structure can be formed by cross-linking poly (acrylic acid) [ 12 , 13 ]. Poly(acrylic acid), a common pH-responsive polymer [ 14 ], has typically served as a hydrophilic section for amphiphilic or amphipathic block copolymers with a variety of unique characteristics [ 15 ].…”

Functional polymers for modeling the formation of biogenic calcium carbonate and the design of new materials

“…Polymeric acids can interact with Ca 2+ ions in solution and on the surface of CaCO 3 nanoparticles, thereby affecting the formation of calcium carbonate. For example, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) competes with the CO 3 2− anion in the reaction with Ca 2+ and inhibits the formation of calcium carbonate 39–43 . Block copolymers containing carboxyl or phosphate blocks effectively control the precipitation of calcium and barium carbonates resulting in fibrous or needle‐like materials 44,45 .…”

“…For example, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) competes with the CO 3 2À anion in the reaction with Ca 2+ and inhibits the formation of calcium carbonate. [39][40][41][42][43] Block copolymers containing carboxyl or phosphate blocks effectively control the precipitation of calcium and barium carbonates resulting in fibrous or needle-like materials. 44,45 The presence of non-acidic hydrophilic units in the polymer chain can contribute to the formation of stable dispersions of polymer-CaCO 3 nanoparticles.…”