Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Copolymers of Poly (isopentenyl PEG - co-allyl PEG), Their Performance in Cement Mortar and Comparison with Physical Blends

Abstract

The aim of this study is the synthesis and characterization of the novel copolymers ofpoly(isopentenyl PEG-co-allyl PEG) (TPEG-co-APEG) and the investigation of their influenceon the properties of the cement mortar. The performance of the copolymers was compared withthe physical blends of TPEG and APEG having the similar TPEG/APEG ratio. In addition, acommercial MPEG type PC was used as a control in the experiments. The FTIR and 1H-NMRproved that the copolymerization was successfully achieved. GPC enlightened the change ofmolecular weight of the copolymers. The dispersion, flow retention and the strength of themortars prepared with copolymers or physical blends were compared. It was found that thestrength and the adsorption of the copolymers were better than that of blends, whereas flowretention of the blends was better in comparison to that of the copolymers.