Characterization of terpolymers containing 1,2,4-oxadiazolic pendant groups with potential application as workover fluids

Abstract

Presence of planar, bulky heterocyclic pendant groups, attached to polymer chains, alters the thermal properties and, once gelled, they modify their rheological properties as well. The authors report generation of stiff gels coming from terpolymers containing 1,2,4-oxadiazolic pendant groups, obtained by chemical modification of commercial polyacrylonitrile. The gels formed in basic aqueous solutions were compared and the effect of substituents linked to the heterocycles on thermal stability and viscoelastic properties was also analyzed. The structural modifications were followed by FTIR. The potential use of these terpolymers as workover fluids is discussed.