Method and Composition for Improved Temporary Wet Strength

Abstract

A new process to make high solids polymer backbone with low molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution has been developed by a continuous polymerization processes under refluxing conditions. In this process, a mixture of acrylamide monomer, chain transfer agent and initiator is simultaneously and continuously added to the heel of aqueous solution under refluxing conditions.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method comprising:
 mixing at least one acrylamide, at least one co-monomer and at least one chain transfer agent in an aqueous solution;   copolymerizing the aqueous mixture of the acrylamide, the co-monomer and the chain transfer agent with the addition of an initiator whereby a copolymer is made;   reacting the copolymer with a cellulose reactive agent in an aqueous solution wherein the concentration of the copolymer is about 0.1 to about 19% by weight based on the total weight of solution whereby a cellulose reactive copolymer is made; and   contacting a paper stock during a papermaking process with the cellulose reactive copolymer whereby a paper product with highly efficient temporary wet strength is produced.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the mixing further comprises addition of components by method selected from step-wise addition, batch-wise additions, continuous addition or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the copolymer has a molecular weight of from about 500 to about 6000 daltons. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the acrylamide component is from about 10 to about 99% by weight of the copolymer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the chain transfer agent is from about 0.1 to about 15% by weight of the copolymer. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising a multifunctional cross-linking comonomer wherein the multifunctional cross-linking co-monomer is from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of the copolymer. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the initiator is from about 0.1 to about 30% by weight of the copolymer. 
     
     
         29 . A method comprising:
 contacting paper stock during a papermaking process with a cellulose reactive copolymer comprising:   at least one copolymer comprising: (i) at least one acrylamide component, (ii) at least one co-monomer (iii) at least one initiator, and (iv) at least one chain transfer agent; and   at least one cellulose reactive agent wherein the copolymer and reactive agent are mixed in an aqueous solution wherein the concentration of the copolymer is about 0.1 to about 19% by weight based on the total weight of solution.   
     
     
         30 . A paper made using the process of  claim 29 . 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the co-monomer is selected from cationic comonomers, anionic co-monomers, diallyl dimethylammonium chloride, methacryloyloxytrimethylammonium chloride, methyacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride, 1-methacryloyl-4-methyl piperazine and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the chain transfer agent is selected from 2-mercaptoethanol, lactic acid, isopropyl alcohol, thioacids, sodium hypophosphite and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the chain transfer agent is from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the copolymer backbone. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the initiator is selected from, ammonium persulfate, azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2′-azobis(2-methyl-2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride, ferrous ammonium sulfate hexahydrate, sodium sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the initiator is from about 0.1 to about 30% by weight of the copolymer backbone. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cellulose reactive agent is selected from glyoxal, gluteraldehyde, furan dialdehyde, 2-hydroxyadipaldehyde, succinaldehyde, dialdehyde, dialdehyde starch, diepoxy compounds and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cellulose reactive agent is from about 10 to about 100% by weight of the copolymer backbone. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cellulose reactive agent is from about 20 to about 50% by weight of the copolymer backbone. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the co-monomer is selected from cationic comonomers, anionic co-monomers, diallyl dimethylammonium chloride, methacryloyloxytrimethylammonium chloride, methyacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride, 1-methacryloyl-4-methyl piperazine and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the chain transfer agent is selected from 2-mercaptoethanol, lactic acid, isopropyl alcohol, thioacids, sodium hypophosphite and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the initiator is selected from, ammonium persulfate, azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2′-azobis(2-methyl-2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride, ferrous ammonium sulfate hexahydrate, sodium sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the cellulose reactive agent is selected from glyoxal, gluteraldehyde, furan dialdehyde, 2-hydroxyadipaldehyde, succinaldehyde, dialdehyde, dialdehyde starch, diepoxy compounds and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein during the glyoxalation step the polymer solids content is below 20% solids. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the concentration of copolymer backbone is from about 8 to about 16% by weight based on the total weight of the solution. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the copolymer backbone is made by a continuous process whereby a mixture of the acrylamide, co-monomer and chain transfer agent and the initiator are simultaneously and continuously added to a heel of water.