Structurally-modified water soluble polymer that is used as a flocculant

摘要

A structurally-modified nonionic, cationic or anionic water-soluble polymer comprising a mixture of linear polymer and long-chain branched polymer is disclosed, wherein the polymer mixture has a reduced specific viscosity above 3 dl/g, wherein the polymer is prepared by initiating polymerization of an aqueous solution of monomers under free radical polymerization conditions to form a polymer solution and adding at least one structural modifier to the polymer solution after at least 30% polymerization of the monomers has occurred. These water-soluble cross-linked polymers are useful as flocculating agents in processes such as water treatment, industrial effluents treatment and papermaking.