Polycarboxylate ethers (PCEs) are defined as polymers that are made of methoxy-polyethylene glycol copolymer grafted with the methacrylic acid copolymer. PCEs are extensively used in the construction industries, as super plasticizers in concrete and cement. They are used to achieving specific concrete properties such as enhanced flow properties. Polycarboxylate ethers are used in the construction of roads, bridges, building slabs, and civil construction. Faster recycle of formwork, ease to use with any cement grade, and high water reducing ability are some of the advantages of polycarboxylate ether.
Other polyether compounds can also be polymerized via polycarboxylate, but they generally tend to have lower solubility, exhibit weaker plasticity than polycarboxylates, and require a longer polymerizing time. Polycarboxylate ether has the ability to undergo polymerization via two different but effective methods. One method involves taking a molecule that already has polymerized into an unmonomeric state and using this as a template for the formation of new molecules. Another method involves taking monomers and coupling them together with other molecules. After the coupling of the molecules, the resulting product will have the ability to form new polyethylene and polypropylene via the main chains which are polymerized.
Moreover, polycarboxylates are used in many pharmaceutical industries. It is found in solvents, plastics, pesticides, lubricants, and many more sectors. The versatility of this polymer is its most prominent feature. The PCE molecular weight limits of less than one part per million (Pm) and higher can be achieved by following certain procedures. Furthermore, the side chains and main chains (methoxy-polyethylene glycol copolymer and methacrylic acid copolymer) of the polycarboxylate ether can be modified to obtain desired properties in the PCE product. Optimized properties include viscosity, stability, stickiness, early strength development with workability time, slump retention without retardation, high initial liquefaction or workability, adsorption speed, and combinations of these properties... Read more