Copolymers and Polymers as Scale Inhibitors

Polymers, also known as high-molecular compounds, are formed by repeating units called monomers linked via covalent bonds. Water saving is a consensus among people in modern society, which reminds us to develop effective approaches to increase its utilization rates. The deposition of scale can make the metal surface abnormally uneven, which can form an oxygen concentration cell and produce electrochemical corrosion. Therefore, it is the best choice for water save and equipment protection that adding scale inhibitors in circulating water to increase iron concentration multiple. As a type of scale inhibitor, the polymer exerts incomparable advantages over other substances, whose molecular chain offers better thermal stability and ability to increase the dispersion of particles in water. Herein, the interaction between polymers and colloidal substances in water increases its dispersion and prevents its precipitation. Through the selection and modification of monomers, branches, and blocks, the best scale inhibitor is obtained. In this paper, the design mechanism and experimental results of various copolymer and polymer scale inhibitors are reviewed in detail. A new research direction for polymer scale inhibitors is proposed to intuitively understand the scale inhibition process.