Synthesis, characterization, and application of PVP/PAM copolymer

Abstract The aim of this study was to synthesize copolymers from N ‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NVP) and acrylamide (AM) at different molar ratios and investigate the influence of the different ratios on copolymers' properties. How copolymers affect the washing and stain‐repelling effects of carbon black, PET, Nylon, or cotton fabrics was also evaluated. Results show that as the AM content increased, the copolymers decomposed more slowly by heat, indicating better heat stability. In addition, copolymers were characterized as lowering surface tension and having excellent dispersing ability, low foaming properties, and excellent acid and alkaline resistance. The addition of copolymer can produce stain‐repelling effects against carbon black, PET, or Nylon‐colored fabrics. It was also determined that fabrics' stain‐repelling effects have no significant relationship to the NVP/AM molar ratio in copolymer synthesis. However, carbon black has better stain repellence as the AM monomer content increased. Two types of stain repellence gave better results when a higher concentration of copolymer was added. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2006