Electrical conductivity and viscosity of aqueous–organic solutions of copolymers based on maleic anhydride

Copolymers based on maleic anhydride with alternating monomer links were synthesized. In aqueous solutions, the anhydride chain is capable of a hydrolysis reaction, while maleic acid copolymers are formed. Such polymers can be used as protective colloids for mineral dispersion systems. In our experiments, we studied the electrical conductivity and viscosity of the maleic anhydride-methacrylic acid (MMA) copolymer. The viscosity of aqueous-organic solutions depends on the degree of neutralization of carboxyl groups (α). The electrical conductivity of MMK solutions is characterized by a minimum at α equal to 20 %. When the degree of neutralization of carboxyl groups increases, the transition of a compact globule of MMK into a macromolecular ball takes place. The change in Gibbs energy at such a transition was found. Keywords : maleic anhydride copolymer, viscosity, electrical conductivity, Gibbs energy change.