The synthesis of a new chitosan based superplasticizer and investigation of its effects on concrete properties

Abstract

Chitosan-g-POEGMA (Chitosan-g-poly[oligo(ethyleneglycol) methyl ether methacrylate]) graft copolymers are prepared by grafting of oligo (ethylene glycol methyl ether) methacrylate (OEGMA) on chitosan via redox free radical polymerization method using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as the initiator at 40 degrees C. Then the resulting copolymers are sulphated by sulphuric acid, chlorosulfonic acid and fuming sulphuric acid (Oleum). The compounds are characterized by FT-IR, NMR, and Elemental analysis. The chitosan homopolymer is also sulphated to compare the results. Taking all characterization results and water solubility ratios into account, it is decided to conduct tests on concrete specimens containing graft copolymers sulphated with oleum sulfuric.