Water‐soluble copolymers. IV. Random copolymers of acrylamide with sulfonated comonomers

Random copolymers of acrylamide with sodium‐2‐sulfoethyl methacrylate and with sodium‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonate were synthesized in aqueous solutions utilizing persulfate initiators. Copolymer compositions were determined by elemental analysis and by infrared spectroscopic methods. Monomer reactivity ratios were calculated using Fineman–Ross, Kelen–Tüdos, and/or Mayo–Lewis techniques at appropriate conversions. The copolymer microstructure, including mean sequence length distributions, was calculated from reactivity ratios. Membrane osmometry and viscometry measurements were utilized to estimate molecular weight and size. The large dimensions of these polyelectrolytes in aqueous solutions, as well as their inherent hydrogen bonding capacity and pseudoplasticity, make these copolymers excellent candidates for application as mobility control agents in enhanced oil recovery.