One-pot fabrication of a double tailed hydrophobic monomer and its application in synthesis of salt-resistant polymers

The polymer with double-tailed hydrophobic groups in its side chains showed good performances in thickening ability and salt resistance. However, complicated procedures restricted the application of the polymer. Here, a simply method was designed to synthesize a double-tailed hydrophobic monomer, diallyldidodecylammonium bromine (DADDAB). Then, the synthesized monomer was copolymerized with acrylamide and acrylic acid to prepare the double-tailed hydrophobically associating polymer (PAADD) by radical copolymerization. Thickening ability, rheological behavior, morphology and foam stability of the polymer were researched. The results showed that the viscosity PAADD (2 g/L) in 200 g/L NaCl was 275.5 mPa.s, which was much higher than that of HPAM (16.9 mPa.s). The elastic modulus was also enhanced at high frequency. In addition, foam stability in high salinity was improved significantly by adding PAADD. The results were attributed to the complete spatial network formed by the double-tailed hydrophobic groups in the side chains of PAADD. The simple synthesis routes of DADDAB and enhanced salt resistance of PAADD are anticipated to expedite the application of salt resistant polymers in high salinity reservoirs.