Application and study of copolymerization of methacrylic acid and itaconic acid as dispersant agent

In paper manufacturing industry, concentrated calcium carbonate (CaCo3) suspension with 72-75wt% are widely used as a white pigment, and impart high brightness, glosss andgood printability on coated paper.To decrease the viscosity and increase the fluidity of highly concentrated dispersions,the aggregation of solid particles must be prevented, and existing flocs should be broken by the addition of special chemical agents like surfactant,wetting agents and dispersants.Acrylic polymers are popular and well known dispersants agents. Itaconic acid, methacrylic acid, and K2S2O8 werepurchased from Merck and were used without further purification. In this study new copolymerization of itaconic acid (1) and methacrylic acid(2) were carried out in the presence of K2S2O8 as radical initiator under N2 effluent.(sheme1)