Water-soluble polymer gels, industrial applications

Interest in the chemistry of water-soluble polymers (polyelectrolytes) has been continually increasing during the past 45 years. The tremendous scope of utility for water-soluble polymers has led to a vigorous search for new materials and the rapid development of polyelectrolytes into a dynamic field of industrial research. Growth in this field has been especially rapid since 1960 and today, many companies are engaged in synthesis and applications research on polyelectrolytes that are primarily used in four main marketing areas water treatment, paper, textiles, and oil recovery [1]. Polyacrylamide gel was also used as soil conditioner [2-4]. 

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