Estimation of Polyethylene Oxide Polymer Train and Loop Densities on Contaminant Barrier Materials

Abstract

Desiccation of exposed clayey materials in cover layers of waste containment systems can ultimately result in the development of cracks that can promote the infiltration of rainwater and/or snowmelt, and escape of gases from buried wastes. Clayey barriers can be stabilized against desiccation by introducing binders such as concentrated polymer liquids or aqueous solutions. In this research, a theoretical analysis of the morphological configuration of molecules of polyethylene oxide (PEO) on montmorillonite (a common barrier mineral) was performed. A methodology for estimating polymer train and loop densities using batch sorption measurements was developed and demonstrated using PEO sorption test data for sodium montmorillonite (specific surface area: 31.82±0.22 m