POLYACRYLIC ACID (PAA)

Polymer structure Monomer structure

HISTORICAL FACTS

• Friedrich Konrad Beilstein obtained acrylic acid by distilling

hydroacrylic acids in 1862.
• It is used as an additive in a wide range of products, in coatings,
adhesives, inks, lubricants, and plastics based on copolymers.
• In a water solution at neutral pH, PAA is an anionic polymer, meaning
that many of the side chains of PAA will lose their protons and acquire
a negative charge.
Polymer structure Monomer structure

STRUCTURE

• The usefulness of a polyacrylic acid: PAA, is closely related to its

molar mass. PAA with molar masses less than 2*10^3 g.mol-1 are used
as absorbents, those with molar masses between 2*10^3 and 5*10^3
g.mol-1are used as scale inhibitors in pipes, sludge dispersants,
descaling agents. The PAA with molar mass between 2*10^4 and
8*10^4 g.mol-1 they are used as dispersing agents. The PAA with
molar masses between 1*10^6 and 1*10^7 g.mol-1 are used in the
textile and paper as fiber retention agents; and PAA with molar masses
greater than 1*10^7 g.mol-1 They are used as flocculants or thickening
agents.
Polymer structure Monomer structure

USES AND APPLICATIONS

In the industry:
• 50% is used to make esters, primarily methyl, ethyl, and butyl
propenoates. These are, in turn, polymerized while 30% is used to
make propenoic polyacid and therefore superabsorbents.
In the medicine:
• Gels for skin care or products for the treatment of skin conditions. PAA
films can be deposited on orthopedic implants to protect them from
corrosion.
In daily life:
Diapers, Hand sanitizer, After shave, Toothpaste, Styling products (gels,
dyes, sprays), Pet shampoo