Synthesis, characterization, and solution properties of a surface-active hydrophobically associating polymer

A nonionic surfmer (MAA-EO 23 C 12 ) was prepared and reacted with acrylamide, acrylic acid, and a double tailed hydrophobic monomer (BTMAM) to synthesize a surface-active hydrophobically associating copolymer (SHAP) through photoinitiated free radical copolymerization in aqueous solution. Fourier transform infrared and 1 H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to characterize the functional monomer and the SHAP. Several performance evaluations, such as viscosification property, temperature resistance, salt tolerance, and shear resistance, were also conducted. Experiment results demonstrated that the introduced nonionic surfmer and hydrophobic monomer could endow the copolymer with excellent temperature resistance, salt tolerance, and shear resistance capability at low concentration. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 46569.