To the biochemist, water is, of course, the only solvent worthy of consideration, because natural macromolecules exhibit their remarkable conformational properties only in aqueous media. Probably because of these remarkable properties, biochemists do not tend to regard proteins, nucleotides and polysaccharides as polymers in the way that real polymer scientists regard methyl methacrylate and polyethylene. The laws of polymer statistics hardly apply to native biopolymers. Between these two powerful camps, lies the No-man's land of water soluble synthetic polymers: here, we must also include natural polymers which have been chemically modified. The scientific literature of these compounds is characterized by a large number of patents, which is usually a sign of little basic understanding, of 'know-how' rather than of 'know-why'. Many of the physical properties of such aqueous solutions are intriguing: the polymer may be completely miscible with water, and yet water is a 'poor' solvent, in terms of polymer parlance. ~kiny of the polymers form thermorever sible gels on heating or cooling. The phenomena of exothermic mixing and salting-in are common features of such systems: neither can be fully explained by the available theories. Finally, the eccentric behaviour of polyelectrolytes is well documented. Despite the lack of a sound physico-chemical foundation there is a general awareness of the importance of water soluble vinyl, acrylic, polyether, starch and cellulose derivatives, as witnessed again by ~he vast patent literature.

Water-soluble polymers have been attracting increasing atten tion because of their utility in industrial applications of great current concern. Perhaps preeminent among these is their ability to flocculate suspended solids, e.g., wastes in municipal sew age-treatment plants or pulp in papermaking. other important appli cations are to aid in so-called secondary recovery of petroleum, to reduce turbulent friction of water, and as components of water-based finishes developed in response to environmental con straints. Some water-soluble polymers have shown interesting bio logic activity, which is being investigated further. This book is based on papers presented at a symposium held by the American Chemical Society, Division of Organic Coatings and Plastics Chemistry, in New York City on 30-31 August 1972. The large attendance and the favorable response of the audience con firmed not only our view of the importance of the field but also the need to bring these topics together. The chapters in this book are generally enlarged and more detailed, with more complete bibliographies, than the papers presented at the Symposium. They include not only the important applications described above, but also descriptions of new syntheses and characterization methods.

To the biochemist, water is, of course, the only solvent worthy of consideration, because natural macromolecules exhibit their remarkable conformational properties only in aqueous media. Probably because of these remarkable properties, biochemists do not tend to regard proteins, nucleotides and polysaccharides as polymers in the way that real polymer scientists regard methyl methacrylate and polyethylene. The laws of polymer statistics hardly apply to native biopolymers. Between these two powerful camps, lies the No-man's land of water soluble synthetic polymers: here, we must also include natural polymers which have been chemically modified. The scientific literature of these compounds is characterized by a large number of patents, which is usually a sign of little basic understanding, of 'know-how' rather than of 'know-why'. Many of the physical properties of such aqueous solutions are intriguing: the polymer may be completely miscible with water, and yet water is a 'poor' solvent, in terms of polymer parlance. ~kiny of the polymers form thermorever sible gels on heating or cooling. The phenomena of exothermic mixing and salting-in are common features of such systems: neither can be fully explained by the available theories. Finally, the eccentric behaviour of polyelectrolytes is well documented. Despite the lack of a sound physico-chemical foundation there is a general awareness of the importance of water soluble vinyl, acrylic, polyether, starch and cellulose derivatives, as witnessed again by ~he vast patent literature.

Natural and synthetic water soluble polymers are used in a wide range of familiar industrial and consumer products, including coatings and inks, papers, adhesives, cosmetics and personal care products. They perform a variety of functions without which these products would be significantly more expensive, less effective or both. Written for research, development and formulation chemists, technologists and engineers at graduate level and beyond in the fine and specialty chemicals, polymers, food and pharmaceutical industries, the Handbook of Industrial Water Soluble Polymers deals specifically with the functional properties of both natural and synthetic water soluble polymers. By taking a function based approach, rather than a “polymer specific” approach the book illustrates how polymer structure leads to effect, and shows how different polymer types can be employed to achieve appropriate product properties.