Hydrophobically associating polymer molecular weight effect

Interest in these alkyl modifled polymeric structures was relatively low for some time, but about 20 years ago was heightened when it was realized that interalkyl chain association, as well as intrachain association, could take place, effectively increasing the molecular weight of the polymer and, therefore, the viscosity of the solution. Hence the term associative thickener evolved and now includes polyamphiphilic structures, i.e., not necessarily only polyionic structures. The presence of hydrophobic groups endows these polymers with surface and interfacial activity and hence with potential as foam, emulsion, and suspension stabilizers as well as surface conditioners. 

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