What Is Acrylamide?
Acrylamide is an organic compound with a chemical structure that includes acryloyl (-COCH2) and carbamoyl (-CONH2) groups. It is an odorless, white crystalline substance, also known as an acrylamide monomer.
Uses of Acrylamide
Acrylamide is primarily used as a raw material for polyacrylamide, a superabsorbent polymer. Its applications span across various industries including sewage treatment as a coagulant, adhesive production, agriculture for soil improvement, the medical field as a hemostatic agent, and cosmetics as moisturizers and thickeners. It also plays a role in paper enhancement, textile processing, and PAGE gel electrophoresis in molecular biology.
Properties of Acrylamide
Acrylamide is a clear, colorless, and crystalline powder, soluble in water, ethanol, diethyl ether, and acetone, but insoluble in benzene and heptane. It has a molecular formula of CH2=CHCONH2, a molecular weight of 71.08, and is stable at room temperature but prone to polymerization under UV light. It melts at 184°F and rapidly reacts to form polyacrylamide. Acrylamide is considered a potential carcinogen and is hazardous if ingested or inhaled over long periods.
Other Information on Acrylamide
How Acrylamide Is Produced
Acrylamide is produced by hydrolyzing acrylonitrile with water in the presence of acid catalysts like sulfuric or hydrochloric acid. The reaction converts acrylonitrile into acrylamide, facilitated by an acid catalyst. Alternatively, nitrile hydrolase enzymes from microorganisms can also be used for more efficient industrial production.