BR112018075340B1 - ASSOCIATIVE POLYMER POWDER AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING A POWDER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an associative polymer, a powder and a process for producing a powder comprising, interlinking one or more associative polymers and one or more optional surfactants (or surfactants) to form a wet gel, and forming a powder from the wet gel. , wherein the associative polymer (or associative polymers) have a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] High molecular weight polymers (eg, at least 2 million Daltons) are commonly used in papermaking as retention and drainage aids to improve fiber suspension dewatering and fine particle retention in the sheet. Polymers with a relatively low molecular weight (eg, typically less than 2 million Daltons) are also typically employed to help improve sheet strength. Generally, in order to improve the strength of the paper sheet, strength aids are needed at high doses (for example, about 1.81 kilograms (2 to 4 pounds) active/ton dry pulp). The addition of high doses (i.e., 0.91 to 1.81 kilograms (2 to 4 pounds) active/ton dry pulp) of high molecular weight polymers results in high flocculation and a paper sheet product, which does not show uniformity. Thus, high molecular weight polymers are not typically used as strength aids.

[002] High and low molecular weight polymers can be supplied to the papermaker as aqueous polymer solutions. However, solution-based polymers have high costs associated with shipping, degradation due to instability from long-term storage, as well as associated costs and facilities required for paper machine application. Powder-based strength aids have the ability to improve these costs associated with carrying and adding to the paper machine. Some high molecular weight polymers can be formed into a dry powder by a process comprising, among others, forming a polymer wet gel, cutting wet gel, granulating the cut wet gel, drying the granules, and grinding the dry granules. . However, due to their relative insolubility, they require large removal units to obtain a solution-based polymer capable of being added to the paper machine. Thus, there remains a need for a low molecular weight strength auxiliary powder for use in the papermaking process, which can be added to the paper machine as a powder, or as a solid slurry. However, low molecular weight polymers (eg 2 million Daltons or less) cannot be processed in the same way as high molecular weight polymers. Generally, wet gel polymer of low molecular weight polymers is too soft to cut and process. Therefore, conventional strength aids are typically low molecular weight solution polymers.

[003] One technique used to obtain a processable polymer wet gel from low molecular weight polymers is to include permanent chemical crosslinking in the backbone of the polymer. Unfortunately, permanently crosslinked low molecular weight polymers become high molecular weight polymers due to crosslinking. Furthermore, the dry powder produced by this technique is typically insoluble in water, thus rendering the powder useless in the papermaking process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] A process for making a powder comprising one or more low molecular weight associative network polymers is provided. The process comprises linking one or more associative polymers and one or more optional surfactants to form a wet gel and forming a wet gel powder, wherein the associative polymer (or associative polymers) has a weight average molecular weight of about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[005] In addition, a powder is provided. The powder comprises one or more associative polymers comprising one or more associative monomer units and one or more additional monomer units selected from at least one of a cationic monomer unit, an anionic monomer unit, a non-ionic monomer unit , a zwitterionic monomer unit, or a combination thereof, and, optionally, one or more surfactants, wherein the associative polymer (or associative polymers) has a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[006] Additionally, an associative polymer is provided. The associative polymer comprises one or more associative monomer units, one or more additional monomer units, one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I and, optionally, one or more piperidine-2,6-dione units, wherein the one or more piperidine-2,6-diones are formed by cyclizing an acrylamide nitrogen of the derived monomer unit of a monomer of Formula I to a carbonyl of the additional monomer unit, wherein the associative polymer has a weight weight average molecular weight from about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[007] The processes of the present disclosure provide an approach to forming a wet polymer gel comprising low molecular weight polymers capable of being machine processed into powder. Generally, the resulting powder is water-dispersible, the degree of solubility depending on the level of dilution and/or the presence of a surfactant. Typically, the powder is water-dispersible and thus can be incorporated into the papermaking process. In particular, the processes and compositions described herein use a networking technique that improves wet polymer gel strength and dissipates upon dilution with water. Additionally, the powder comprising low molecular weight associative polymer (or associative polymers) provided by the processes provided herein, when used in a papermaking process, generates paper that has strength properties similar to those of paper obtained from the use of of conventional solution strength aids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[008] Figure 1 is an example of the 13C NMR spectrum of the associative polymer described in Example 5.

[009] Figure 2 graphically represents the results of Example 10.

[0010] Figure 3 graphically represents the results of Example 10.

[0011] Figure 4 graphically represents the results of Example 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A process for producing a powder is provided. The process comprises forming a wet gel comprising one or more associative polymers and, optionally, one or more surfactants, and forming a powder from the wet gel, wherein the associative polymer (or associative polymers) has a weight molecular weight average about 10 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

[0013] In some embodiments, the process comprises forming a wet gel comprising one or more associative polymers and, optionally, one or more surfactants, cutting the wet gel to form granules, and converting the granules to form a powder, wherein the associative polymer (or associative polymers) has a weight average molecular weight of about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[0014] The powder comprises one or more polymers associatively networked. For example, the powder may comprise a plurality (e.g., at least two polymer molecules) of associatively networked polymer (or polymers), wherein the associatively linked polymers have the same molecular structure (i.e., a networked polymer ) or the powder may comprise a plurality of associatively networked polymers, wherein the associatively networked polymers have varying molecular structures (i.e., more than one associatively networked polymer). The one or more associatively networked polymers can be any suitable polymer. For example, one or more associatively networked polymers can be homopolymers, copolymers, terpolymers, or greater, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the one or more associatively networked polymers are terpolymers.

[0015] Associative network polymers can be cationic, anionic, amphoteric, nonionic or zwitterionic. In some embodiments, the associatively networked polymers are cationic. As used herein, "cationic" polymers refer to polymers that contain cationic monomer units or a combination of cationic monomer units and non-ionic monomer units. In some embodiments, the associatively networked polymers are anionic. As used herein, "anionic" polymers refer to polymers that contain anionic monomer units or a combination of anionic monomer units and non-ionic monomer units. In some embodiments, the associatively networked polymers are amphoteric. As used herein, "amphoteric" polymers refer to polymers that contain cationic monomer units and anionic monomer units, or cationic monomer units, anionic monomer units and nonionic monomer units. In some embodiments, the associatively networked polymers are nonionic. As used herein, "non-ionic" polymers refer to polymers that contain non-ionic monomer units. In some embodiments, the associatively networked polymers are zwitterionic. As used herein, "zwitterionic" polymers refer to polymers that contain zwitterionic monomer units or a combination of zwitterionic monomer units and cationic monomer units, anionic monomer units and/or nonionic monomer units.

[0016] The associatively networked polymer (or polymers) can exist as any type of suitable structure. For example, the associatively networked polymer (or polymer) can exist as alternating polymers, random polymers, block polymers, grafted polymers, linear polymers, branched polymers, cyclic polymers, or a combination thereof. The associatively networked polymer (or polymers) may contain a single monomer unit, or any suitable number of different monomer units. For example, the associatively networked polymer (or polymers) may contain 2 different monomer units, 3 different monomer units, 4 different monomer units, 5 different monomer units, or 6 different monomer units. The monomer units of the polymer (or polymers) associatively networked can exist in any suitable concentration and in any suitable ratio.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the powder comprises one or more associatively networked polymers, wherein the associative polymer (i.e., lacking network linkage) has a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa. The associatively networked polymer (or polymers) can have a weight average molecular weight of about 2000 kDa or less, for example about 1800 kDa or less, about 1600 kDa or less, about 1400 kDa or less, about 1200 kDa or less, about 1000 kDa or less, about 900 kDa or less, about 800 kDa or less, about 700 kDa or less, about 600 kDa or less, or about 500 kDa or less. Alternatively or additionally, the associatively networked polymer (or polymers) can have a weight average molecular weight of about 10 kDa or more, for example, about 50 kDa or more, about 100 kDa or more, about 200 kDa or more. more, about 300 kDa or more, or about 400 kDa or more. Thus, the associatively networked polymer (or polymers) can have a weight average molecular weight linked by any two of the aforementioned evaluation criteria. For example, the associatively networked polymer (or polymers) can have a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 500 kDa, from about 50 kDa to about 500 kDa, from about 100 kDa to about 500 kDa, from about 200 kDa to about 500 kDa, from about 300 kDa to about 500 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 500 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 600 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 700 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 800 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 900 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 1,000 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 1,200 kDa , from about 400 kDa to about 1,400 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 1,600 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 1,800 kDa, from about 400 kDa to about 2,000 kDa, from about 200 kDa to about 2000 kDa, from about 500 kDa to about 2000 kDa, or from about 800 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[0018] The weight average molecular weight can be determined by any suitable technique. Although alternative techniques are intended, in some embodiments, weight average molecular weight is determined using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) equipped with a TSKgel PW column set (TSKgel Guard+GMPW+GMPW+G1000PW), Tosoh Bioscience LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio) and a Waters 2414 Refractive Index Detector (Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts) or a DAWN HELEOS II Multi-Angle Light Scattering Detector (MALS) (Wyatt Technology, Santa Barbara, California). In addition, the weight average molecular weight is determined from either calibration with polyethylene oxide/polyethylene glycol standards that are in the range of 150 to 875,000 Daltons or directly using light scattering data with known increment of refractive index (“dn/dc”).

[0019] In certain embodiments, the weight average molecular weight is determined by hydrolyzing the associative polymer to remove hydrolyzable side chains and then further analyzed with size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The associative polymer can be hydrolyzed by any suitable technique. For example, the associative polymer can be hydrolyzed by treatment with a 0.1% by weight solution of NaOH at pH 12 with a cage shaker at 400 rpm for one hour. As used herein, "hydrolyzable side chains" refer to any side chain on an associative monomer unit or an additional monomer unit that can be cleaved through hydrolysis. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit may need to be hydrolyzed prior to size exclusion chromatography due to the low recovery rate of the column. Generally, hydrolysis of the associative polymer does not cleave the polymer backbone and preserves the degree of polymerization of the associative polymer.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the associative monomer unit does not contain a hydrolyzable side chain. In embodiments where the associative monomer unit does not contain a hydrolyzable side chain, the weight average molecular weight can be determined by analysis of a surrogate for the associative polymer. For example, the weight average molecular weight can be determined by synthesizing a polymer using the exact same formulation in the absence of the associative monomer unit. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the polymer synthesized with the same formulation maintains a similar degree of polymerization and results in a similar weight average molecular weight to an associative polymer in which the associative monomer unit is present.

[0021] Illustrative embodiments of the associative polymer (or associative polymers) generally include one or more associative monomer units and one or more additional monomer units. As used herein, "additional monomer unit" refers to any monomer unit other than the associative monomer unit. In certain embodiments, the one or more additional monomer units are derived from a water-soluble monomer (e.g., acrylamide, diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC"), 2-(acryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanammonium chloride (“DMAEA. MCQ”), etc.). As used herein, "derived" when referring to a monomer unit, means that the monomer unit has substantially the same structure as a monomer from which it was produced, into which the terminal olefin has been transformed during the process of polymerization. In some embodiments, the associative polymer (or associative polymers) includes one or more associative monomer units, a monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula I, and one or more additional monomer units. In certain embodiments, the associative polymer (or associative polymers) includes an associative monomer unit, a monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula I, and an additional monomer unit.

[0022] In some embodiments, one or more associative monomer units, and one or more additional monomer units may be incorporated into the associative polymer (or associative polymers) using monomers, dimers, trimers, oligomers, adducts or a combination thereof and the monomer structures from which they are derived. For example, the one or more associative monomer units, or the additional monomer unit or units may exist as a dimer, trimer, oligomer or adduct prior to incorporation into the associative polymer (or associative polymers).

[0023] The associative polymer (or associative polymers) may comprise any one or more suitable additional monomer units selected from a cationic monomer unit, an anionic monomer unit, a nonionic monomer unit, a zwitterionic monomer unit and a combination of two or more of them. For example, the associative polymer (or associative polymers) may comprise a cationic monomer unit and an anionic monomer unit, an anionic monomer unit and a nonionic monomer unit, a cationic monomer unit and a nonionic monomer unit. , or a cationic monomer unit, an anionic monomer unit, and a non-ionic monomer unit. In certain embodiments, the associative polymer (or associative polymers) comprises and/or further comprises a zwitterionic monomer unit. The associative polymer (or associative polymers) can be synthesized by any suitable polymerization method. For example, the associative polymer (or associative polymers) can be produced from free radical polymerization, addition polymerization, free radical addition polymerization, cationic addition polymerization, anionic addition polymerization, emulsion polymerization, solution polymerization , suspension polymerization, precipitation polymerization or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the polymerization occurs via free radical polymerization.

[0024] Thus, a suitable additional monomer unit can be derived from any one or more suitable monomers capable of participating in free radical polymerization. For example, the associative polymer (or associative polymers) can comprise one or more additional monomer units derived from a monomer selected from a monomer of Formula I, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), 2- (dimethylamino)ethyl ("DMAEM"), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide ("DMAPMA"), 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide ("DMAPA"), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride ("MAPTAC"), 3- acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“APTAC”), N-vinylpyrrolidone (“NVP”), N-vinyl acetamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, diallyldimethylammonium (“DADMAC”), diallylamine, vinylformamide, 2-(acryloxy)-chloride N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium ("DMAEA.MCQ"), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEM.MCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethylacrylate benzyl chloride ("DMAEA .BCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate benzyl chloride ("DMAEM.BCQ"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ("AMPS"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid (" AMBS"), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[0025] In some embodiments, the associative polymer (or associative polymers) comprises a monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula I: wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl (for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl) and each R2 is independently H or an organic group. As used herein, the term "organic group" refers to an alkyl group, an aryl group, a fluoroalkyl group or a fluoroaryl group. In certain embodiments, the monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula I is considered an additional monomer unit.

[0026] In certain embodiments of the R2 substituent, the organic group is a C1-C6 alkyl group (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon units in length). In some embodiments, the C1-C6 alkyl group is saturated, unsaturated, branched, straight-chain, cyclic, or a combination thereof. An exemplary list of C1-C6 alkyl groups is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, sec-pentyl, neo-pentyl or hexyl. In certain embodiments, the C1-C6 alkyl group is substituted by one or more alkyl substituents, aryl substituents, heteroatoms, or combinations thereof (e.g., benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, etc.). In some embodiments, the C1-C6 alkyl group can be a C1-C6 heteroalkyl group (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon units in length). As used herein, "heteroalkyl group" refers to a cyclic or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group that contains at least 1 heteroatom (e.g., O, S, N and/or P) in the core of the molecule (i.e., the main carbon chain).

[0027] In certain embodiments of the R2 substituent, the organic group is an aryl group. The aryl group can be any substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl group, wherein the heteroaryl group is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic monocyclic group that has at least one heteroatom (e.g., O, S, or N) in at least one of the rings. The heteroaryl group may contain one or two oxygen or sulfur atoms and/or one to four nitrogen atoms, provided that the total number of heteroatoms in the ring is four or less and the ring has at least one carbon atom. Optionally, the nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur atoms can be oxidized (ie, subjected to an electron-losing process), and the nitrogen atoms can optionally be quaternized. In some embodiments, the aryl compound is phenyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, pyridyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, pyrimidinyl, or pyridazinyl.

[0028] In certain embodiments of the substituent R2, the organic group is a C1-C6 fluoroalkyl group or a C1-C6 fluoroaryl group. As used herein, the terms "fluoroalkyl" and "fluoroaryl" refer to any alkyl group or aryl group, respectively, having one or more fluorine atoms.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the monomer of Formula I is acrylamide or methacrylamide.

[0030] The associative polymer (or associative polymers) may comprise one or more additional monomer units in any suitable concentration, provided that the associative polymer (or associative polymers) includes a suitable portion of one or more associative monomer units provided herein document. The associative polymer (or associative polymers) may comprise a sum total of about 90 mol% or more of the one or more additional monomer units, for example, about 91 mol% or more, about 92 mol% or more. more, about 93 mol % or more, about 94 mol % or more, about 95 mol % or more, about 96 mol % or more, about 97 mol % or more, about 98 Mole % or greater, or about 99 mol % or greater. Alternatively, or in addition, the associative polymer (or associative polymers) may comprise a total sum of about 99.995 mol% or less of the one or more additional monomer units, for example about 99.99 mol% or less , about 99.9 mol % or less, about 99.75 mol % or less, about 99.5 mol % or less, about 99.4 mol % or less, about 99.3 % by mol or less, about 99.2% by mol or less, or about 99.1% by mol or less. Thus, the associative polymer (or associative polymers) may comprise the additional monomer unit (or monomer units) in a sum total concentration bounded by any two of the aforementioned evaluation criteria. The associative polymer (or associative polymers) can comprise a sum total of from about 90 mol % to about 99.995 mol % of one or more additional monomer units, for example, from about 91 mol % to about 99.995 % by mol, from about 92% by mol to about 99.995% by mol, from about 93% by mol to about 99.995% by mol, from about 94% by mol to about 99.995% by mol, from from about 95 mol % to about 99.995 mol %, from about 97 mol % to about 99.995 mol %, from about 98 mol % to about 99.995 mol %, from about 99 mol % mol to about 99.995 mol %, from about 99 mol % to about 99.99 mol %, from about 99 mol % to about 99.9 mol %, from about 99 mol % to about 99.75 mol %, from about 99 mol % to about 99.5 mol %, from about 99 mol % to about 99.4 mol %, to about 99 mol % mol to about 99.3 mol %, from about 99 mol % to about 99.2 mol %, from about 99 mol % to about 99.1 mol %, from about 99.5 mole % to about 99.99 mole %, from about 99.5 mole % to about 99.995 mole %, from about 99.75 mole % to about 99.99 mole %, or from about 99.75 mol% to about 99.995 mol%.

[0031] The associative polymer (or associative polymers) may comprise one or more associative monomer units of any suitable type (or types). As described herein, "associative monomer unit" refers to any monomer unit capable of coordinating with itself, other associative monomer units, surfactants, or a combination thereof. Coordination can occur through any suitable interaction. For example, coordination can occur through ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, dipolar interactions, Van der Waals forces, or a combination of two or more types of coordination.

[0032] In some embodiments, the associative monomer unit is formed after polymerization by bonding an associative chemical moiety to a polymer. As used herein, "associative chemical moiety" refers to any pendant chemical structure capable of coordinating with itself, other associative monomer units, surfactants, or a combination thereof. Coordination can occur through any suitable interaction. For example, coordination can occur through ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, dipolar interactions, Van der Waals forces, or a combination of two or more types of coordination. In some embodiments, the associative chemical moiety is attached directly to the terminal end of a polymer, attached through a binder to the terminal end of a polymer, attached directly to the backbone of the polymer, attached to the backbone of the polymer through a binder, or a combination thereof.

[0033] In certain embodiments, one or more associative monomer units of one or more associatively networked polymers are structurally similar. As used herein, "structurally similar" means that the associative monomer unit (or units) have similar chemical functional groups. In some embodiments, each associative monomer unit (or units) comprises at least one hydroxyl substituent. In some embodiments, each associative monomer unit (or units) comprises at least one amine substituent. In some embodiments, each associative monomer unit (or units) comprises a polyether chain. In some embodiments, each unit (or units) of associative monomer comprises a polyether chain, where the length of the polyether chains is separated by six carbon units or less (i.e., 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0). For example, if an associative monomer unit has a polyether chain length of 16 carbon units, then a structurally similar associative monomer unit will have a polyether chain length of 10 to 22 carbon units (i.e., 10 , 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22). In certain embodiments, the polyether chains each comprise the same number of carbon units. In some embodiments, each associative monomer unit (or units) comprises an alkyl chain. In some embodiments, each associative monomer unit (or units) comprises alkyl chains, where the length of the alkyl chains is separated by six carbon units or less (i.e., 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, or 0 ). For example, if an associative monomer unit has an alkyl chain length of 16 carbon units, then a structurally similar associative monomer unit will have an alkyl chain length of 10 to 22 carbon units (i.e., 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22). In certain embodiments, the alkyl chains each comprise the same number of carbon units. In certain embodiments, the associative monomer unit (or units) are the same.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the one or more associative monomer units are incorporated into the polymer through polymerization with one or more associative monomers. Thus, one or more associative monomer units may be derived from any one or more suitable associative monomers selected from a nonionic associative monomer, a cationic associative monomer, an anionic associative monomer, a zwitterionic associative monomer, and a combination thereof. . The one or more associative monomers have the ability to participate in polymerization. In certain embodiments, the one or more associative monomers comprise an unsaturated subunit (eg, acrylate, acrylamide, etc.), separate from the associative chemical moiety, capable of participating in free radical polymerization. Generally, the one or more associative monomers are selected from an acrylate, an acrylamide or a combination thereof.

[0035] In one embodiment, the associative monomer unit is a nonionic associative monomer unit. Generally, the nonionic associative monomer unit is derived from an acrylate and/or an acrylamide monomer of Formula II: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g., (CH2)kCH3), where k is an integer from 0 to 9 (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8 or 9), X is O or NH, m, n and y are independently integers from 0 to 100, where when (n + o) < 3, m is at least 7, each Yi and Y2 are independently H or alkyl C1-C4 (for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl) and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group. In some embodiments, "C1 -C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1 -C10 alkyl group. In certain embodiments, each Yi and Y2 is chosen independently to produce block or random copolymers of ethylene oxide ("EO"), propylene oxide ("PO"), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, m, neo refer to an average chain length (rounded to the nearest integer) of the designated subunits (i.e., average carbon chain length or average EO/PO chain length). As used herein, the term "hydrophobic group" refers to an alkyl group, an aryl group, a fluoroalkyl group or a fluoroaryl group.

[0036] In certain embodiments of the R4 substituent, the hydrophobic group is a C1 -C32 alkyl group (i.e., i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, i0, ii, i2, i3, i4, i5, i6, i7, i8, i9, 20, 2i, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 3i or 32 carbon units in length). In some embodiments, the C1 -C32 alkyl group is saturated, unsaturated, branched, straight chain, cyclic or a combination thereof. An exemplary list of C1 -C32 alkyl groups is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, secpentyl, neo-pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, lauryl, stearyl, cetyl, berenyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl or 4-pentenyl. In certain embodiments, the C1-C32 alkyl alkyl group is further substituted by one or more alkyl substituents, aryl substituents, heteroatoms or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the C1-C32 alkyl group can be a C1-C32 heteroalkyl group (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 or 32 carbon units in length). As used herein, "heteroalkyl group" refers to a cyclic or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group that contains at least 1 heteroatom (e.g., O, S, N and/or P) in the core of the molecule (i.e., the carbon backbone).

[0037] As used herein, the term "substituted" means that one or more hydrogens on the designated atom or group are replaced by another group provided that the normal valency of the designated atom is not exceeded. For example, when the substituent is oxo (that is, =O), then two hydrogens on the carbon atom are replaced. Combinations of substituents are permissible provided the substitutions do not significantly adversely affect the synthesis or use of the associative polymer.

[0038] In certain embodiments of the R4 substituent, the hydrophobic group is an aryl group. The aryl group may be any substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl group, wherein the heteroaryl group is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic monocyclic group, a 9- or 10-membered bicyclic group, or an 11- to 14-membered tricyclic group, which has at least one heteroatom (for example, O, S or N) in at least one of the rings. Each ring of the heteroaryl group that contains a heteroatom may contain one or two oxygen or sulfur atoms and/or from one to four nitrogen atoms, provided that the total number of heteroatoms in each ring is four or less and each ring is at least least one carbon atom. The fused rings that complete the bicyclic and tricyclic groups can contain only carbon atoms and can be saturated, partially saturated, or unsaturated. The nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur atoms can optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen atoms can optionally be quaternized. Heteroaryl groups that are bicyclic or tricyclic must include at least one fully aromatic ring, but the other ring or fused rings may be aromatic or non-aromatic. In some embodiments, the aryl group is phenyl, naphthyl, pyrrolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, thiophenyl, pyridyl, acridinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, imidazolyl, thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, purinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pteridinyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, triazinyl, phenazinyl, cinnolinyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridazinyl.

[0039] In certain embodiments of the R4 substituent, the hydrophobic group is a C1-C32 fluoroalkyl group or a C1-C32 fluoroaryl group. As used herein, the terms "fluoroalkyl" and "fluoroaryl" refer to any alkyl group or aryl group, respectively, having one or more fluorine atoms.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the nonionic associative monomer unit is derived from an acrylate monomer comprising an acrylate head group of Formula III: where R5 is -CH2(CH2)pCH3, R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g. (CH2)kCH3), where k is an integer from 0 to 9 (i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9)), ep is an integer from 3 to 100 (for example, from 4 to 50, from 6 to 50, from 8 to 50, from 10 to 50, from 12 to 50, 16 to 50, or 18 to 50). In some embodiments, the acrylate monomer of Formula III is a mixture of two or more such acrylates, such that the average value (rounded to the nearest integer) of p is an integer from 3 to 100 (e.g., from 4 to 50, 6 to 50, 8 to 50, 10 to 50, 12 to 50, 16 to 50 or 18 to 50). In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group. In certain embodiments, R5 is a branched alkyl group from 3 to 100 carbon units in length. Generally, the nonionic associative monomer is selected from lauryl acrylate, cetyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, berenyl acrylate or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the non-ionic associative monomer unit is lauryl acrylate, i.e., R3 = H and p = 10.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the nonionic associative monomer unit is derived from an acrylate monomer comprising an acrylate head group of Formula IV: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g., (CH2)kCH3), where k is an integer from 0 to 9 (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8 or 9), q is an integer from 2 to 100 (for example, from 4 to 50, from 6 to 50, from 8 to 50, from 10 to 50, from 12 to 50, from 16 to 50, from 18 to 50, 16 to 100, 18 to 100, or 50 to 100), r is an integer from 0 to 30 (for example, from 2 to 30, from 4 to 30, from 6 to 30, from 8 to 30, 10 to 30, 12 to 30, 16 to 30, 18 to 30, 20 to 30, 22 to 30, or 24 to 30), and each Y is independently H or CH3. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group. In certain embodiments, each Y is independently selected to produce block or random copolymers of ethylene oxide ("EO"), propylene oxide ("PO"), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the acrylate monomer of Formula IV is a mixture of two or more such acrylates, such that the average value (rounded to the nearest integer) of q is an integer from 2 to 100 (e.g., 4 to 50, 6 to 50, 8 to 50, 10 to 50, 12 to 50, 16 to 50, 18 to 50, 16 to 100, 18 to 100, or 50 to 100 ), and the average value (rounded to the nearest integer) of r is an integer from 0 to 30 (for example, from 2 to 30, from 4 to 30, from 6 to 30, from 8 to 30, from 10 to 30, 12 to 30, 16 to 30, 18 to 30, 20 to 30, 22 to 30, or 24 to 30). In some embodiments, the acrylate monomer of Formula IV is polyethoxy (25) lauryl methacrylate, polyethoxy (25) cetyl methacrylate, polyethoxy (25) stearyl methacrylate, polyethoxy (25) berenyl methacrylate, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the nonionic associative monomer unit is a VISIOMER® ether methacrylate commercially available from Evonik Industries (Essen, Germany). In some embodiments, the nonionic associative monomer unit is polyethoxy(25) cetyl and/or stearyl methacrylic ester, marketed under the trade name C16-C18 fatty alcohol methacrylic ester (25 EO) ("Cl8PEG1105MA"), commercially available from the Evonik Industries (Essen, Germany).

[0042] In certain embodiments, the nonionic associative monomer unit is derived from an acrylate monomer comprising an acrylate head group of Formula V: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g., (CH2)kCH3), where k is an integer from 0 to 9 (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, or 9), Y1 and Y2 are each independently H or C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl), and and ne are independently integers in the range of 0 to about 100 (e.g., from about 0 to about 90, from about 0 to about 80, from about 0 to about 70, from about 0 to about 60, from about 0 to about 50, from about 10 to about 100, or from about 10 to about 50), R4' is a C8-C30 alkyl group (i.e., 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 carbon units long), where neon can both be 0. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group. In certain embodiments, each Y1 and Y2 are independently selected to produce block or random copolymers of ethylene oxide ("EO"), propylene oxide ("PO"), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the acrylate monomer of Formula V is a mixture of two or more such acrylates, such that the average (rounded to the nearest integer) values of neo are independently whole numbers from 0 to 100 (e.g., from 0 to 50, 6 to 50, 8 to 50, 10 to 50, 12 to 50, 16 to 50, 18 to 50, 16 to 100, 18 to 100 or 50 to 100). In certain embodiments, the acrylate monomer of Formula V contains a side chain derived from a Plurafac® surfactant, commercially available from BASF Corporation (Florham Park, New Jersey).

[0043] In another embodiment, the associative monomer unit is a cationic associative monomer unit. Generally, the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from an acrylate salt monomer and/or an acrylamide salt monomer of Formula VI: where R6 and R7 are each independently H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g., (CH2)tCH3) where t is an integer from 0 to 9 (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , 6, 7, 8, or 9), X is O or NH, s is an integer from 0 to 20 (for example, from 2 to 20, from 4 to 20, from 6 to 20, from 8 to 20, 5 to 10, 10 to 20, 5 to 15, 12 to 20, 0 to 10, 0 to 8, 0 to 6, or 0 to 4), Z is any anion and R8 is a hydrophobic group. In some embodiments, the acrylate and/or acrylamide salt of Formula VI is a mixture of two or more such acrylates and/or acrylamides, such that the average value (rounded to the nearest integer) of s is an integer from 0 to 20 (for example, from 2 to 20, from 4 to 20, from 6 to 20, from 8 to 20, from 5 to 10, from 10 to 20, from 5 to 15, from 12 to 20, from 0 to 10, 0 to 8, 0 to 6 or 0 to 4). In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group. As used herein, the term "hydrophobic group" refers to an alkyl group, an aryl group, a fluoroalkyl group or a fluoroaryl group.

[0044] In certain embodiments of the R8 substituent, the hydrophobic group is a C1-C32 alkyl group (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 or 32 carbon units in length). In some embodiments, the C1-C32 alkyl group is saturated, unsaturated, branched, straight-chain, cyclic, or a combination thereof. An exemplary list of C1-C32 alkyl groups is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, secpentyl, neo-pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, lauryl, stearyl, cetyl, berenyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl or 4-pentenyl. In certain embodiments, the C1-C32 alkyl alkyl group is further substituted by one or more alkyl substituents, aryl substituents, heteroatoms or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the C1-C32 alkyl group can be a C1-C32 heteroalkyl group (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 or 32 carbon units in length). As used herein, "heteroalkyl group" refers to a cyclic or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic each that contains at least 1 heteroatom (e.g., O, S, N and/or P) in the core of the molecule (i.e., the carbon backbone).

[0045] In certain embodiments of the R8 substituent, the hydrophobic group is an aryl group. The aryl group may be any substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl group, wherein the heteroaryl group is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic monocyclic group, a 9- or 10-membered bicyclic group, and an 11- to 14-membered tricyclic group, which has at least one heteroatom (for example, O, S or N) in at least one of the rings. Each ring of the heteroaryl group that contains a heteroatom may contain one or two oxygen or sulfur atoms and/or from one to four nitrogen atoms, provided that the total number of heteroatoms in each ring is four or less and each ring is at least least one carbon atom. The fused rings that complete the bicyclic and tricyclic groups can contain only carbon atoms and can be saturated, partially saturated, or unsaturated. The nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur atoms can optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen atoms can optionally be quaternized. Heteroaryl groups that are bicyclic or tricyclic must include at least one fully aromatic ring, but the other ring or fused rings may be aromatic or non-aromatic. In some embodiments, the aryl compound is phenyl, naphthyl, pyrrolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, thiophenyl, pyridyl, acridinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, imidazolyl, thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, purinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pteridinyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, triazinyl, phenazinyl, cinnolinyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridazinyl.

[0046] In certain embodiments of the R8 substituent, the hydrophobic group is a C1-C32 fluoroalkyl group or a C1-C32 fluoroaryl group. As used herein, the terms "fluoroalkyl" and "fluoroaryl" refer to any alkyl group or aryl group, respectively, having one or more fluorine atoms.

[0047] The ammonium salt of Formula VI may have any suitable anion counterion (ie, “Z”). In some embodiments, the anion ("Z") counterion comprises an element selected from a halogen (e.g., fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), sulfur, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and a combination thereof. An exemplary list of anions includes fluorine, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfide, sulfite, sulfate, sulfonate, bisulfate, bisulfite, thiosulfate, carbonate, bicarbonate, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, phosphite, hydrogen phosphite, di- hydrogen phosphite, hexafluorophosphate, carboxylate, acetate, mesylate, tosylate or triflate. In certain embodiments, Z is selected from fluoride, chloride, bromide, mesylate, tosylate or a combination thereof.

[0048] In certain embodiments, the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from an acrylamide salt monomer of Formula VII: where R6 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g., (CH2)tCH3) where t is an integer from 0 to 9 (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9), i is an integer from 0 to 30 (for example, from 2 to 30, from 4 to 30, from 6 to 30, from 8 to 30, from 5 to 25, from 10 to 30, from 12 to 30, from 15 to 25, from 16 to 30, from 18 to 30, from 20 to 30, from 22 to 30 or from 24 to 30). In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group. In some embodiments, the acrylamide salt of Formula VII is a mixture of two or more such acrylamides, such that the average value (rounded to the nearest integer) of u is an integer from 0 to 30 (e.g., from 2 to 30, 4 to 30, 6 to 30, 8 to 30, 5 to 25, 10 to 30, 12 to 30, 15 to 25, 16 to 30, 18 to 30, 20 to 30 from 22 to 30, or from 24 to 30). In certain embodiments, the acrylamide salt of Formula VII is a "MAPTAC-C12 derivative" (i.e., where R6 is CH3 and I is 10).

[0049] In another embodiment, the associative monomer unit is an anionic associative monomer unit. Generally, the anionic associative monomer unit is derived from an acrylate and/or an acrylamide monomer of Formula VIII: where R9 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g. (CH2)vCH3) where v is an integer from 0 to 9 (i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) X is O or NH, M is any cation, and each R10 is independently H or a hydrophobic group. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group. As used herein, the term "hydrophobic group" refers to an alkyl group, an aryl group, a fluoroalkyl group or a fluoroaryl group.

[0050] In certain embodiments of the R10 substituent, the hydrophobic group is a C1-C32 alkyl group (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 or 32 carbon units in length). In some embodiments, the C1-C32 alkyl group is saturated, unsaturated, branched, straight-chain, cyclic, or a combination thereof. An exemplary list of C1-C32 alkyl groups is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, sec-pentyl, neo-pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, lauryl, stearyl, cetyl, berenyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl or 4-pentenyl. In certain embodiments, the C1-C32 alkyl alkyl group is further substituted by one or more alkyl substituents, aryl substituents, heteroatoms or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the C1-C32 alkyl group can be a C1-C32 heteroalkyl group (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 or 32 carbon units in length). As used herein, "heteroalkyl group" refers to a cyclic or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group that contains at least 1 heteroatom (e.g., O, S, N and/or P) in the core of the molecule (i.e., the carbon backbone).

[0051] In certain embodiments of the R10 substituent, the hydrophobic group is an aryl group. The aryl group may be any substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl group, wherein the heteroaryl group is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic monocyclic group, a 9- or 10-membered bicyclic group, and an 11- to 14-membered tricyclic group, which has at least one heteroatom (for example, O, S or N) in at least one of the rings. Each ring of the heteroaryl group that contains a heteroatom may contain one or two oxygen or sulfur atoms and/or from one to four nitrogen atoms, provided that the total number of heteroatoms in each ring is four or less and each ring is at least least one carbon atom. The fused rings that complete the bicyclic and tricyclic groups can contain only carbon atoms and can be saturated, partially saturated, or unsaturated. The nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur atoms can optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen atoms can optionally be quaternized. Heteroaryl groups that are bicyclic or tricyclic must include at least one fully aromatic ring, but the other ring or fused rings may be aromatic or non-aromatic. In some embodiments, the aryl compound is phenyl, naphthyl, pyrrolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, thiophenyl, pyridyl, acridinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, imidazolyl, thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, purinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pteridinyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, triazinyl, phenazinyl, cinnolinyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridazinyl.

[0052] In certain embodiments of the R10 substituent, the hydrophobic group is a C1-C32 fluoroalkyl group or a C1-C32 fluoroaryl group. As used herein, the terms "fluoroalkyl" and "fluoroaryl" refer to any alkyl group or aryl group, respectively, having one or more fluorine atoms.

[0053] The sulfonate salt may have any suitable cationic counterion (ie "M"). For example, the counterion cation (“M”) can be a proton, ammonium, a quaternary amine, an alkali metal cation, an alkaline earth metal cation, a transition metal cation, a of a rare earth metal, a main group element cation or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the cation counterion is a proton or a cation of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, M is selected from hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium or a combination thereof.

[0054] The one or more associative monomer units may be present in the associative polymer in any suitable amount. The associative polymer may comprise a sum total of about 10 mol % or less of the one or more associative monomer units, for example, about 9 mol % or less, about 8 mol % or less, about 7 mole % or less, about 6 mole % or less, about 5 mole % or less, about 4 mole % or less, about 3 mole % or less, about 2 mole % or less , or about 1 mol% or less. Alternatively or additionally, the associative polymer may comprise about 0.005 mol % or more of the one or more associative monomer units, for example, about 0.01 mol % or more, about 0.1 mol % or more , about 0.25 mol % or more, about 0.3 mol % or more, about 0.4 mol % or more, or about 0.5 mol % or more. Thus, the associative polymer may comprise one or more associative monomer units in a concentration limited by any two of the aforementioned evaluation criteria. The associative polymer can comprise from about 0.005 mol % to about 10 mol % of one or more associative monomer units, for example, from about 0.005 mol % to about 9 mol %, from about 0.005 mole % to about 8 mole %, from about 0.005 mole % to about 7 mole %, from about 0.005 mole % to about 6 mole %, from about 0.005 mole % to about from about 5 mol %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 4 mol % to about 3 mol %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 2 mol %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.01 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 1 mol %, to about 0.25 mol % mol to about 1 mol %, from about 0.3 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.4 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.5 % from about 1.0 mol %, from about 0.01 mol % to about 0.5 mol %, or from about 0.01 mol % to about 0.25 mol % .

[0055] In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional cationic monomer unit. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula II, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ. In certain embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from the VISIOMER® C18PEG1105MA monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ.

[0056] In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional anionic monomer unit. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate. In certain embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from VISIOMER® C18PEG1105MA monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate.

[0057] In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional cationic monomer unit. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ. In certain embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from the MAPTAC-C12 derivative of Formula VII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ.

[0058] In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional anionic monomer unit. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate. In certain embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from the MAPTAC-C12 derivative of Formula VII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate.

[0059] In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional cationic monomer unit. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ.

[0060] In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional anionic monomer unit. In some embodiments, the associative polymer comprises an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate.

[0061] An associative polymer of Formula APi is also provided: wherein E is one or more associative monomer units, F is one or more additional monomer units, G is one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I, H is optionally present and is one or more piperidine units -2,6-dione, wherein the one or more piperidine-2,6-diones are formed by cyclizing an acrylamide nitrogen of the monomer unit derived from the monomer of Formula I ("G") to a carbonyl of the monomer unit of additional monomer ("F"), wherein the associative polymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[0062] In some embodiments, the associative polymer is of Formula AP2: where E is one or more associative monomer units, E' is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about i0, F is one or more additional monomer units, F' is a mole percent value from about 0.005 at about 90, G is one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I, and G' is a mole percent value from about 10 to about 99.99. The E monomer unit is defined by the associative monomer units described herein. The monomer units F and G are defined by the additional monomer units and monomer units derived from the monomer of Formula I, respectively, described herein.

[0063] As described herein, the associative polymer of Formula AP2 can exist as an alternating polymer, random polymer, block polymer, graft polymer, linear polymer, branched polymer, cyclic polymer or a combination thereof. Thus, E, F, and G can exist in any proper order (e.g., EGF, EFG, GEF, GFE, FEG, or FGE), including repeating individual units (e.g., EEFFFGG, EFGGEFEE, EFGEEE, EEEEFG, etc.).

[0064] The amount of one or more associative monomer units (“E'”) and the sum total of one or more additional monomer units (“F'” + “G'”) are those described above for one or more associative monomer units and the sum total of one or more additional monomer units.

[0065] In some embodiments, the associative polymer of Formula AP2 is subjected to charge degradation to provide an associative polymer of Formula AP3: wherein E is one or more associative monomer units, E" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 10, F is one or more additional monomer units, F" is a mole percent value of about 0.005 to about 90, G is one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I, G” is a mole percent value from about 10 to about 99.99, H is one or more piperidine-2 units ,6-dione, wherein the one or more piperidine-2,6-diones are formed by cyclizing an acrylamide nitrogen of the monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula I ("G") to a carbonyl of the monomer unit additional ("F") and H" is a mole percent value from about 0 (ie, trace amounts) to about 10. As used herein, "charge degradation" refers to the process of a monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula I cyclizing to an additional charged monomer unit (i.e., a cationic and/or anionic monomer unit), such that the charged substituent of the additional monomer unit is displaced and thus the polymer has fewer units of cationic monomer units and/or less anionic monomer units. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that charge degradation may occur spontaneously, or may be facilitated by one or more components in the polymer solution.

[0066] In certain embodiments, the associative polymer is of Formula wherein E is one or more associative monomer units, E" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 10, F is one or more additional monomer units, F" is a mole percent value of about 0.005 to about 90, G is one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I, G” is a mole percent value from about 10 to about 99.99, H is one or more units of the formula , where Ri is H or C1-C4 alkyl (for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl) and R2 is H or an organic group and H” is a mole percent value from about 0 (ie, trace amounts) to about 10. In certain embodiments, R1 and R2 are hydrogen.

[0067] As described herein, the associative polymer of Formula AP3 can exist as an alternating polymer, random polymer, block polymer, graft polymer, linear polymer, branched polymer, cyclic polymer or a combination thereof. Thus, E, F, G, and H can exist in any proper order (e.g., EGFH, EGHF, EHGF, EHGF, EFGH, EFHG, FEGH, FEHG, FHEG, FHGE, FGEH, FGHE, GHFE, GHEF, GEFH, GEHF , GFHE, GFEH, HEFG, HEGF, HGEF, HGFE, HFGE), including repeating individual units (e.g. EEFFFGGHHH, EFGGEFEEH, EFGEEEHH, HHHEEEEFG, etc.).

[0068] In certain embodiments, the associative polymer is of Formula AP4: wherein each R1 is independently H or C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl), each R2 is independently H or an organic group , R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (for example, (CH2)kCH3), where k is an integer from 0 to 9 (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9), X is O or NH, m, neo are independently integers from 0 to 100, where when (n + o) < 3, m is at least 7, Y1 and Y2 are each independently H or C1 alkyl -C4 (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl), and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group, E” is a mole percent value of about from 0.005 to about 10, F is one or more additional monomer units, F" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 90, G" is a mole percent value from about 10 to about 99 ,99 and H” is a mole percent value from about 0 (ie, trace amounts) to about 10. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group.

[0069] In certain embodiments of the associative polymer of formula AP4, F is derived from a monomer of diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC"). In certain embodiments of the associative polymer of formula AP4, F is derived from a 2-(acryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride monomer ("DMAEA.MCQ").

[0070] In certain embodiments, the associative polymer is of formula AP5: wherein each R1 is independently H or C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl), each R2 is independently H or an organic group , R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (for example, (CH2)kCH3), where k is an integer from 0 to 9, q is an integer from 2 to 100, r is an integer from 0 to 30 , each Y is independently H or CH3, E" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 10, F" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 90, G" is a mole percent value from about 10 to 99.99 and H” is a mole percent value from about 0 (ie, trace amounts) to about 10. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a C1 alkyl group -C10 branched.

[0071] In certain embodiments, the associative polymer is of formula AP6: where r is an integer from 0 to 30 (for example, from 2 to 30, from 4 to 30, from 6 to 30, from 8 to 30, from 10 to 30, from 12 to 30, from 16 to 30, 18 to 30, 20 to 30, 22 to 30, or 24 to 30), each Y is independently H or CH3, E" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 10, F" is a mole percent value of from about 0.005 to about 90, G" is a mole percent value of about 10 to about 99.99, and H" is a mole percent value of about 0 (i.e., trace amounts) to about 10. In certain embodiments, r is an integer from 14 to 16.

[0072] In certain embodiments, the associative polymer is of formula AP7: wherein each R1 is independently H or C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl), each R2 is independently H or an organic group , R6 and R7 are each independently H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g. (CH2)tCH3) where t is an integer from 0 to 9, X is O or NH, s is an integer from 0 to 20, Z is any anion, and R8 is a hydrophobic group, E" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 10, F is one or more additional monomer units, F" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 90, G" is a mole percent value from about 10 to about 99.99, and H" is a mole percent value from about 0 (i.e., trace amounts) to about 10. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group.

[0073] In certain embodiments, the associative polymer is of formula AP8: wherein each R1 is independently H or C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl), each R2 is independently H or an organic group , R6 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (for example, (CH2)tCH3) where t is an integer from 0 to 9, I is an integer from 0 to 30, E is a mole percent value of about 0.005 to about 10, F" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 90, G" is a mole percent value from about 10 to about 99.99, and H" is a mole percent value from about 0 (ie, trace amounts) to about 10. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group.

[0074] In certain embodiments, the associative polymer is of formula AP9: where R6 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (for example, (CH2)tCH3) where t is an integer from 0 to 9, I is an integer from 0 to 30, E is a mole percent value of about from 0.005 to about 10, F" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 90, G" is a mole percent value from about 10 to about 99.99, and H" is a percent value molar from about 0 (ie, trace amounts) to about 10. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group.

[0075] In certain embodiments of the associative polymers of formula AP7-9 (ie, AP7, AP8 or AP9), F is derived from one or more selected monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or salts thereof.

[0076] In certain embodiments, the associative polymer is of formula AP10: wherein each R1 is independently H or C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl), each R2 is independently H or an organic group , R9 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g., (CH2)vCH3) where v is an integer from 0 to 9, X is O or NH, M is any cation, and each R10 is independently H or a hydrophobic group , E” is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 10, F is one or more additional monomer units, F is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 90, G is a percent value mole percent from about 10 to about 99.99 and H” is a mole percent value from about 0 (i.e., trace amounts) to about 10. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1C10 alkyl group.

[0077] In certain embodiments, the associative polymer is of formula AP11: where R9 is H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g., (CH2)vCH3) where v is an integer from 0 to 9, X is O or NH, M is any cation, and each R10 is independently H or a group hydrophobic, E is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 10, F is one or more additional monomer units, F is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 90, G is a percent value mole percent from about 10 to about 99.99, and H” is a mole percent value from about 0 (i.e., trace amounts) to about 10. In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group.

[0078] As described herein, the associative polymers of formula AP4-AP11 (i.e., AP4, AP5, AP6, AP7, AP8, AP9, AP10, or AP11) can exist as an alternating polymer, random polymer, block, graft polymer, linear polymer, branched polymer, cyclic polymer or a combination thereof. Thus, monomer units can exist in any suitable order, including repeating individual units.

[0079] The presence of the H monomer unit can be detected by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the H monomer is detected by 13 C NMR, 1 H NMR, IR spectroscopy, or a combination thereof.

[0080] The abundance of the H monomer unit can be determined by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the abundance of the H-monomer unit can be determined by comparing the relative peak integrations of a 13 C NMR spectrum, 1 H NMR spectrum, IR spectrum, or a combination thereof.

[0081] In some embodiments of the associative polymers of formula AP3-11 (i.e., AP3, AP4, AP5, AP6, AP7, AP8, AP9, AP10, or AP11), E" is from about 0.005 mol to about from about 10 mol % (e.g., from about 0.005 mol % to about 9 mol %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 8 mol %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 7 mole %, from about 0.005 mole % to about 6 mole %, from about 0.005 mole % to about 5 mole %, from about 0.005 mole % to about 4 mole %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 3 mol % or from about 0.005 mol % to about 2 mol %), F' is from about 0.005 mol % to about 90 mol % (e.g. , from about 0.005 mol % to about 80 mol %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 70 mol %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 60 mol %, from about 0.005 mole % to about 50 mole %, from about 0.005 mole % to about 40 mole %, from about 0.005 mole % to about 35 mole %, from about 0.005 mole % to about from about 30 mol%, from about 0.005 mol % to about 25 mol %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 20 mol %, from about 0.005 mol % to about 16 mol % , from about 0.005 mol % to about 12 mol %, to about 0.005 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 2 mol % to about 20 mol %, from about 4 mole % to about 20 mole %, from about 6 mole % to about 20 mole %, from about 4 mole % to about 16 mole %, from about 4 mole % to about from about 12 mol %, or from about 4 mol % to about 10 mol %), G" is from about 10 mol % to about 99.99 mol % (e.g., from about 10 mole % to 99.99 mole %, from about 20 mole % to about 99.99 mole %, from about 30 mole % to about 99.99 mole %, from about 40 % from about 99.99 mol %, from about 50 mol % to about 99.99 mol %, from about 60 mol % to about 99.99 mol %, from about 70 mole % to about 99.99 mole %, from about 80 mole % to about 99.99 mole %, from about 80 mole % to about 99.95 mole %, from about 80 mol % to about 99.9 mol %, from about 80 mol % to about 99.5 mol %, from about 80 mol % to about 99 mol %, from about 80 mole % to about 97 mole %, from about 80 mole % to about 95 mole %, from about 80 mole % to about 92 mole %, from about 80 mole % to about from about 90 mol %, from about 84 mol % to about 99 mol %, from about 84 mol % to about 94 mol %, from about 84 mol % to about 95 mol % , from about 84 mol % to about 92 mol %, or from about 84 mol % to about 90 mol %), and H" is about 0 mol % (i.e., trace amounts ) to about 10 mol % (e.g., from about 0.001 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 0.001 mol % to about 9 mol %, from about 0.001 mol % to about 8 mol %, from about 0.001 mol % to about 7 mol %, from about 0.001 mol % to about 6 mol %, from about 0.001 mol % to about 5 mol % mole, from about 0.001 mole % to about 4 mole %, from about 0.001 mole % to about 3 mole %, or about 0.001 mole % to about 2 mole %).

[0082] In certain embodiments of the associative polymers of formula (AP3-11) (i.e., AP3, AP4, AP5, AP6, AP7, AP8, AP9, AP10, or AP11), E” is about 0.005 mol % to about 1 mole % (e.g., from about 0.01 mole % to about 1 mole %, from about 0.1 mole % to about 1 mole %, from about 0. 25 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.3 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.4 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0 .5 mol % to about 1.0 mol %, from about 0.01 mol % to about 0.5 mol %, or from about 0.01 mol % to about 0.25 % by mol), F" is from about 4% by mol to about 10% by mol (e.g., from about 4% by mol to about 9% by mol, from about 4% by mol to about from about 8 mol %, from about 4 mol % to about 7 mol %, from about 4 mol % to about 6 mol %, from about 4 mol % to about 5 mol % , from about 5 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 6 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 7 mol % to about 10 mol %, from about 8 mole % to about 10 mole %, from about 9 mole % to about 10 mole %, or from about 6 mole % to about 8 mole %), G” is about 84 mole % to about 90 mole %, from about 85 mole % to about 90 mole %, from about 86 mole % to about 90 mole %, from about 87 mole % to about from about 90 mol %, from about 88 mol % to about 90 mol %, from about 89 mol % to about 90 %, from about 84 mol % to about 89 mol %, from from about 84 mol % to about 89 mol %, from about 84 mol % to about 88 mol %, from about 84 mol % to about 87 mol %, from about 84 mol % mol to about 86 mol %, from about 84 mol % to about 85 mol %, or from about 86 mol % to about 88 mol %), and H" is about 0% mole % (i.e., trace amounts) to about 6 mole % (eg, from about 0.001 mole % to about 5 mole %, from about 0.001 mole % to about 4 mole %, from about 0.001 mole % to about 3 mole %, or from about 0.001 mole % to about 2 mole %, from about 0.001 mole % to about 1 mole % of about 0, 01 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.1 mol % to about 1 mol %, from 0.25 mol % to about 1 mol %, from about 0.3 mole % to about 1 mole %, from about 0.4 mole % to about 1 mole %, from about 0.5 mole % to about 1.0 mole %, from about 0.01% by mol to about 0.5% by mol, or from about 0.01% by mol to about 0.25% by mol).

[0083] The processes provided herein comprise networking one or more associative polymers. As used herein, "network" refers to the chemical coordination of a polymeric chain with an adjacent polymeric chain to promote a different physical property. The lattice technique can include any suitable chemical coordination. Generally, the networking of one or more associative polymers does not comprise the covalent linkage of adjacent polymer chains. For example, chemical coordination can occur through ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, dipolar interactions, Van der Waals forces, or a combination thereof.

[0084] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the networking occurs between associative monomer units of different polymer chains (i.e., intermolecular interactions). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that associative monomer units momentarily interact through weak chemical interactions (i.e., ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, dipole interactions, Van der Waals forces, or a combination of the same), resulting in the networking of adjacent associative polymer (or associative polymers) temporarily. As used herein, "temporarily networking adjacent associative polymer (or associative polymers)" refers to an interaction, which may be controlled by the level of dilution, the presence of a surfactant, or a combination thereof. Thus, the networking of the associative polymer (or associative polymers) is reversible, thereby allowing low viscosity powders, gels or liquid media to be prepared and/or subsequently dispersed in a solvent.

[0085] In another embodiment, at least a portion of the networking occurs between the associative monomer units and one or more surfactants. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that associative monomer units can momentarily interact through weak chemical interactions (i.e., ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, dipole interactions, van der Waals forces, or a combination thereof) with the one or more surfactants, resulting in the networking of the associative polymer (or associative polymers) and surfactant (or surfactants) temporarily. As used herein, "temporarily networking associative polymer (or associative polymers) and surfactant (or surfactants)" refers to an interaction that can be controlled by the level of dilution, the amount of a surfactant, or a combination thereof. Thus, the networking of associative polymer (or associative polymers) and surfactant (or surfactants) is reversible, and allows low viscosity powder, gels or liquid medium to be prepared and/or subsequently dispersed in a solvent.

[0086] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the networking occurs through micellar copolymerization. As used herein, "micellar copolymerization" refers to the concomitant formation of micelles comprising associative and/or surfactant monomers (or surfactants) and associative polymer (or associative polymers) comprising associative monomer units. Without intending to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that associative monomer units from adjacent polymers can be incorporated into micelles formed from associative monomers and/or surfactant (or surfactants), thereby temporarily linking adjacent associative polymers.

[0087] As used herein, "temporary networking" refers to an associative interaction (e.g., within the associative polymer solution (or associative polymers), the wet gel, and the powder) that can be controlled by the level of dilution, the presence of a surfactant, or a combination thereof. Unlike a more permanent crosslinking practice known in the art, for example, crosslinking through covalent bonds, the temporary linkage can be momentary. As used herein, "temporary" can refer to any period of time that extends from the initial formation of the associative polymer solution to the dispersion of the powder in solution. For example, the temporary network provides sufficient structure of the wet gel to allow processing and conversion of the machine into a powder. In addition, the temporary network helps produce a powder that is stable and still maintains reasonable levels of solubility in water. Upon dilution in water, associative interactions (i.e., temporary bonding) decrease and the powder settles dispersed in water or other solvent.

[0088] In certain embodiments, the process comprises networking one or more associative polymers and one or more surfactants wherein the one or more associative monomer units and one or more surfactants are structurally similar. As used herein, "structurally similar" means that the associative monomer unit (or associative monomer units) and the surfactant (or surfactants) have the same or similar chemical functional groups. In some embodiments, the associative monomer unit (or associative monomer units) and the surfactant (or surfactants) each comprise at least one hydroxyl substituent. In some embodiments, the associative monomer unit (or associative monomer units) and the surfactant (or surfactants) each comprise at least one amine substituent. In some embodiments, the associative monomer unit (or associative monomer units) and the surfactant (or surfactants) each comprise a polyether ether chain. In some embodiments, the associative monomer unit (or associative monomer units) and the surfactant (or surfactants) each comprise a polyether chain, where the length of the polyether chains is separated by six carbon units or less (i.e. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0). For example, if an associative monomer unit has a polyether chain length of 16 carbon units, then a structurally similar surfactant will have a polyether chain length of 10 to 22 carbon units (i.e., 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22). In certain embodiments, the polyether chains comprise the same number of carbon units. In some embodiments, the associative monomer unit (or associative monomer units) and the surfactant (or surfactants) each comprise an alkyl chain. In some embodiments, the associative monomer unit (or associative monomer units) and the surfactant (or surfactants) comprise alkyl chains, where the length of the alkyl chains is separated by six carbon units or less (i.e., 6.5 , 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0). For example, if an associative monomer unit has an alkyl chain length of 16 carbon units, then a structurally similar surfactant will have an alkyl chain length of 10 to 22 carbon units (i.e., 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22). In certain embodiments, the alkyl chains each comprise the same number of carbons. In certain embodiments, the associative monomer unit (or associative monomer units) and the surfactant (or surfactants) comprise the same structural subunit.

[0089] In some embodiments, the process for preparing the powder further comprises one or more surfactants. The surfactant may be any suitable surfactant selected from an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and a combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more surfactants can exist as a dimer. For example, the surfactant can have one polar head group and two non-polar tails, or two polar head groups and one non-polar tail, or two polar head groups and two non-polar tails. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the surfactant helps to provide structure to the wet gel and increases the solubility of the resulting powder upon dilution in water or other solvent.

[0090] In one embodiment, the surfactant is a cationic surfactant. In certain embodiments, the cationic surfactant is an ammonium salt of Formula IX: where each R11 is independently H or C1-C10 alkyl (e.g., (CH2)andCH3) where e is an integer from 0 to 9 (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9), A is any anion, and d is an integer from 6 to 34 (for example, from 6 to 30, from 6 to 24, from 6 to 20, from 6 to 16, from 6 to 12, from 5 to 25, 10 to 20, 15 to 25, 10 to 24 or 10 to 30). In some embodiments, "C1-C10 alkyl" refers to a branched C1-C10 alkyl group. In some embodiments, the ammonium salt of Formula IX is a mixture of two or more ammonium salts such that the average value (rounded to the nearest integer) of d is an integer from 6 to 34 (e.g., from 6 to 30, from 6 to 24, from 6 to 20, from 6 to 16, from 6 to 12, from 5 to 25, from 10 to 20, from 15 to 25, from 10 to 24 or from 10 to 30). In certain embodiments, the cationic surfactant is hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate or hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride.

[0091] The ammonium salt may have any suitable anionic counterion (ie "A"). In some embodiments, the anionic ion ("A") comprises an element selected from a halogen (i.e., fluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide), sulfur, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and a combination thereof. An exemplary list of anions comprises fluorine, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfide, sulfite, sulfate, bisulfate, bisulfite, thiosulfate, carbonate, bicarbonate, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, phosphite, hydrogen phosphite, dihydrogen phosphite , hexafluorophosphate, carboxylate, acetate, mesylate, tosylate or triflate. In certain embodiments, A is selected from fluoride, chloride, bromide, mesylate, tosylate or a combination thereof.

[0092] In some embodiments, the surfactant is an anionic surfactant. In certain embodiments, the anionic surfactant is a sulfate salt of Formula X: where B is any cation, and f is an integer from 7 to 35 (for example, from 7 to 29, from 7 to 23, from 7 to 19, from 7 to 15, from 7 to 11, from 11 to 19, from 11 to 23, or from 11 to 29). In some embodiments, the sulfate salt of Formula X is a mixture of two or more such sulfate salts such that the average value (rounded to the nearest integer) of f is an integer from 7 to 35 (e.g., from 7 to 29, from 7 to 23, from 7 to 19, from 7 to 15, from 7 to 11, from 11 to 19, from 11 to 23, or from 11 to 29). In certain embodiments, the anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate (ie, f is 11).

[0093] The sulfate salt may have any suitable cationic counterion (ie "B"). For example, the counterion cation (“B”) can be a proton, ammonium, a quaternary amine, an alkali metal cation, an alkaline earth metal cation, a transition metal cation, a of a rare earth metal, a main group element cation or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the cation counterion is hydrogen or a cation of lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, B is selected from hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium or a combination thereof.

[0094] In some embodiments, the surfactant comprises a nonionic surfactant. The non-ionic surfactant can be any suitable non-ionic surfactant. In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant comprises repeating units of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. In certain embodiments, the surfactant comprises block or random copolymers of ethylene oxide ("EO"), propylene oxide ("PO"), or a combination thereof.

[0095] In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XI: where a, b, and c are independently integers ranging from about 2 to about 200 (e.g., from about 2 to about 175, from about 2 to about 150, from about 2 to about 125, from about 2 to about 100, from 50 to about 200, from about 50 to about 150, or from about 50 to about 100) and a, b, and c are the same or different. In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant of Formula X is a mixture of two or more such surfactants, such that a, b, and c refer to an average chain length (rounded to the nearest integer) of the designated subunits (i.e., , average chain length of EO and PO) where a, b, and c are independently integers from about 2 to about 200 (e.g., from about 2 to about 175, from about 2 to about 150, from about from about 2 to about 125, from about 2 to about 100, from about 50 to about 200, from about 50 to about 150, or from about 50 to about 100). In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is PLURONIC® F-127 surfactant, ie, HO(C2H4O)101(C3H6O)56(C2H4O)101H, available from BASF Corporation (Florham Park, New Jersey).

[0096] In some embodiments, the non-ionic surfactant is of Formula XII: where g is an integer that is in the range from about 6 to about 50 (e.g., from about 6 to about 42, from about 6 to about 36, from about 6 to about 30, from about 6 to about 24, from about 6 to about 18, from about 6 to about 12, from about 8 to about 30, from about 12 to about 50, from about 12 to about 36, or from about 12 to about 24), each of R12 and R13 is independently H or C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or tert -butyl) and he and h are independently integers that are in the range from 0 to about 100 (e.g., from about 0 to about 90, from about 0 to about 80, from about 0 to about 70, from from about 0 to about 60, from about 0 to about 50, from about 10 to about 100, or from about 10 to about 50). In some embodiments, the Formula XII surfactant is a mixture of two or more surfactants, such that g, h and i refer to an average chain length (rounded to the nearest integer) of the designated subunits (i.e., average carbon chain ) EO (or substituted EO) average chain length or length, where g is an integer from about 6 to about 50 (e.g., from about 6 to about 42, from about 6 to about 36 , from about 6 to about 30, from about 6 to about 24, from about 6 to about 18, from about 6 to about 12, from about 8 to about 30, from about 12 to about 50, from about 12 to about 36, or from about 12 to about 24) and he and he are independently integers that are in the range from 0 to about 100 (e.g., from about 0 to about 90 , from about 0 to about 80, from about 0 to about 70, from about 0 to about 60, from about 0 to about 50, from about 10 to about 100, or from about 10 to about 50).

[0097] In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XII: where g is an integer that is in the range from about 6 to about 50 (e.g., from about 6 to about 42, from about 6 to about 36, from about 6 to about 30, from about 6 to about 24, from about 6 to about 18, from about 6 to about 12, from about 12 to about 50, from about 12 to about 36, or from about 12 to about 24), R12 and R13 are H and H, and H and H are independently integers that are in the range from 0 to about 100 (e.g., from about 0 to about 90, from about 0 to about 80, from about from 0 to about 70, from about 0 to about 60, from about 0 to about 50, from about 10 to about 100, or from about 10 to about 50). In certain embodiments, the surfactant is BRIJ® S20, i.e., a polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether of the formula C18H37(OC2H4)h'OH, where h' is an integer that is in the range from about 2 to about 200, marketed by Croda International (East Yorkshire, UK).

[0098] In certain embodiments, the non-ionic surfactant is of Formula XII: where g is an integer that is in the range from about 6 to about 50 (e.g., from about 6 to about 42, from about 6 to about 36, from about 6 to about 30, from about 6 to about 24, from about 6 to about 12, from about 12 to about 50, from about 12 to about 36, or from about 12 to about 24), i is 0 , R12 is H and h is an integer from about 2 to about 30 (for example, from 2 to 30, from 4 to 30, from 6 to 30, from 8 to 30, from 10 to 30, from 12 to 30, from 16 to 30, from 18 to 30, from 20 to 30, from 22 to 30, or from 24 to 30). In certain embodiments, the surfactant is a Lutensol® fatty alcohol ethoxylate commercially available from BASF Corporation (Florham Park, New Jersey). Most preferably, the surfactant is polyethoxy(25) cetyl and/or stearyl alcohol, marketed under the C16-C18 fatty alcohol (25 EO) product name ("LutensolAT®25"), commercially available from BASF Corporation (Florham Park, NJ).

[0099] In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XII: where g is an integer that is in the range from about 8 to about 30 (for example, from 10 to 30, from 12 to 30, from 16 to 30, from 18 to 30, from 20 to 30, from 22 to 30 or 24 to 30), each of R12 and R13 is independently H or C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl), and hei are independently integers that are in the range from 0 to about 50 (e.g., from about 0 to about 40, from about 0 to about 30, from about 0 to about 20, from about 10 to about 50, from about 10 to about 40, from about 10 to about 30, or from about 10 to about 20). In certain embodiments, the surfactant is a Plurafac® surfactant commercially available from BASF Corporation (Florham Park, New Jersey).

[00100] In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XIII: where w, x, y, and z are integers from about 0 to about 50 (e.g., from about 0 to about 40, from about 0 to about 30, from about 0 to about 20, from from about 0 to about 16, from about 0 to about 12, or from about 0 to about 8), ew, x, y, and z are the same or different. In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant of Formula XIII is a mixture of two or more surfactants, such that w, x, y, and z refer to an average chain length (rounded to the nearest whole number) of the designated subunits ( i.e., average chain length of EO) where w, x, y, and z are integers from about 0 to about 50 (e.g., from about 0 to about 40, from about 0 to about 30, from about 0 to about 20, from about 0 to about 16, from about 0 to about 12, or from about 0 to about 8). In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is TWEEN® 20 surfactant, ie w + x + y + z = 20, marketed by Croda International PLC (East Yorkshire, UK).

[00101] When the one or more surfactants are present in the powder, the one or more surfactants may be present in the powder to any suitable concentration. The powder may comprise a sum total of about 20% by weight or less of the surfactant (or surfactants), for example, about 15% by weight or less, about 10% by weight or less, about 9% by weight or less, about 8% by weight or less, about 7% by weight or less, about 6% by weight or less, or about 5% by weight or less. Alternatively or additionally, the powder may comprise a sum total of about 0.001% by weight or more of the surfactant (or surfactants), for example, about 0.01% by weight, about 0.1% by weight, about 0.25% by weight or more, about 0.5% by weight or more, about 1% by weight or more, about 2% by weight or more, about 3% by weight or more, or about 4% by weight or more. Thus, the powder may comprise one or more surfactants in a concentration limited by any two of the aforementioned evaluation criteria. The powder may comprise a sum total of from about 0.001% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 0.01% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 0.1% by weight to about from 5% by weight of surfactant, for example from about 0.25% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 0.5% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 1% by weight from about 5% by weight, from about 2% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 3% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 5% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 10% by weight, from about 4% by weight to 9% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 8% by weight, from about from 4% by weight to about 7% by weight, from about 4% by weight to about 6% by weight, from about 0.001% by weight to about 10% by weight, from about 0.01% by weight to about 10% by weight, from about 0.1% by weight to about 10% by weight, from about 0.001% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight, from about 0.001% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 0.01% by weight to about 20% by weight 0.1% by weight to about 20% by weight, or from about 0.001% by weight to about 1% by weight.

[00102] In one embodiment, the one or more surfactants are added prior to powder formation (eg, to the polymer solution, before or after polymerization, or to the wet gel). When the surfactant (or surfactants) are added prior to powder formation, the surfactant (or surfactants) are incorporated into the wet gel and thus the powder. Generally, the surfactant (or surfactants) improve the processability of the wet gel to a powder. Typically, the surfactant (or surfactants) further improve the solubility or dispersibility of the resulting powder in an aqueous medium or other solvent.

[00103] In some embodiments, the one or more surfactants are added to the powder after being processed from the wet gel. In some embodiments, the one or more surfactants are not required for the wet gel to be processed. In particular, the chemical interactions of the associative monomer units can be strong enough to bind the associative polymer (or associative polymers) in the absence of surfactant (or surfactants). Although surfactant is not always required for powder formation, the resulting powder (lacking one or more surfactants) is generally less soluble in an aqueous medium. For example, one or more surfactants tend to facilitate rewetting of the associative polymer (or associative polymers) and accelerate the process of forming a solution in water. Thus, a surfactant can be added after powder formation in order to improve the solubility and dispersibility of the resulting powder in an aqueous medium or other solvent.

[00104] The polymerization to form the associative polymer (or associative polymers) can be carried out according to any suitable polymerization known in the art. For example, associative polymers can be produced by emulsion polymerization, dispersion polymerization, solution polymerization, gel polymerization or a combination thereof. Polymerization to form the associative polymer (or associative polymers) can occur through any suitable mechanism. For example, the polymerization can occur through cationic polymerization, anionic polymerization, free radical polymerization, coordination polymerization or combinations thereof. Typically, polymerization occurs via free radical polymerization.

[00105] In some embodiments, the polymerization to form the associative polymer (or associative polymers) comprises one or more polymerization components. In certain embodiments, the one or more polymerization components are not removed from the reaction mixture such that one or more of the polymerization components remain in the polymer solution, wet polymer gel, and/or powder. In other embodiments, the one or more polymerization components are removed such that the one or more polymerization components are not present in the polymer solution, polymeric wet gel, and/or powder. In some embodiments, the one or more polymerization components are transformed such that the one or more transformed polymerization components are present in the polymer solution, wet polymer gel, and/or powder. An exemplary list of polymerization components is an initiator, a chain transfer agent, a chelator, a redox agent, a buffer, and a combination thereof.

[00106] In some embodiments, the polymerization comprises one or more initiators. The initiator can be any suitable initiator. In some embodiments, the initiator is a free radical initiator. In certain embodiments, the initiator is selected from the group of azobis compounds. An exemplary list of primers is 2,2'-azobis (2,4-dimethyl-valeronitrile), 2,2'-azobis (4-methoxy-2,4-dimethyl-valeronitrile), 1,1'-azobis (cyclo -hexane-1-carbonitrile), 2,2'-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile) dihydrochloride, 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine), 2,2'-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin- 2-yl)propane], 2,2'-azobis[N-(2-carboxyethyl)-2-methylpropionamidine]hydrate(anhydride), and 2,2'-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl )propane].

[00107] In some embodiments, the polymerization comprises one or more chain transfer agents. The chain transfer agent can be any suitable chain transfer agent. An exemplary list of chain transfer agents is carbon tetrachloride, carbon tetrabromide, bromotrichloromethane, pentaphenylethane, sodium formate, sodium hypophosphite, thiophenol, 4,4'-thiobisbenzenethiol, 4-methylbenzenethiol, and aliphatic thiols such as 3 isooctyl-mercaptopropionate, tert-nonyl mercaptan and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, N-2-mercaptoethyl)acetamide, glutathione, N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine and 2-mercaptoethanol.

[00108] In some embodiments, the polymerization comprises one or more chelants. The chelator can be any suitable chelator. In certain embodiments, the chelating agent is a polydentate organic compound. An exemplary list of chelating agents is diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid ("DTPA"), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ("EDTA"), nitrilotriacetic acid ("NTA"), diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-L-glutamic acid, N - trisodium (hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediaminetriacetate, adipic acid and salts thereof.

[00109] In some embodiments, the polymerization comprises one or more redox agents. The redox agent can be any suitable redox agent. In some embodiments, the redox agent helps to terminate the polymerization. In certain embodiments, the redox reagent is an organic peroxide, an inorganic peroxide, or a combination thereof. An exemplary list of redox agents is sodium bisulfite; a thiosulfate, ferrous ammonium sulfate; ascorbic acid, an amine, a hypophosphite, sodium bromate, a chlorate, a permanganate, ammonium persulfate, potassium persulfate, sodium persulfate, t-butyl hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, ozone and salts thereof. In some embodiments, the redox agent is added as a redox couple, such that one agent participates in the reduction and one agent participates in the oxidation. In certain embodiments, the redox agent is the initiator.

[00110] In some embodiments, the polymerization comprises a buffer system. The buffer system can be any suitable organic and/or inorganic buffer system. In certain embodiments, the buffer system comprises an organic and/or inorganic acid and/or base capable of controlling pH below about 6 (e.g., from about 0 to about 6, from about 1 to about from about 6, from about 2 to about 6, from about 3 to about 6, from about 4 to about 6, from about 5 to about 6, from about 0 to about 1, from about from 0 to about 2, from about 0 to about 3, from about 0 to about 4, or from about 0 to about 5). An exemplary list of buffers is adipic acid, pimelic acid, glutaric acid, citric acid, acetic acid, an inorganic acid (e.g., phosphoric acid), an amine, and salts thereof.

[00111] The solution of one or more associative polymers and, optionally, one or more surfactants can be converted into a wet gel by any suitable technique. In some embodiments, the solution of one or more associative polymers and, optionally, one or more surfactants spontaneously forms a wet gel. For example, solution-based monomers can polymerize in the presence of one or more surfactants, and the polymerization results in a transition from solution-based monomers to solution-based polymers that spontaneously begin to solidify to form the wet polymer gel. In some embodiments, the solution of one or more associative polymers and, optionally, one or more surfactants may need to be dried before forming a wet gel. For example, the solution of one or more associative polymers and, optionally, one or more surfactants can be converted into a wet gel by drying (e.g., placing in an oven and/or evaporating at room temperature), cooling, changing to pressure, or a combination thereof. As used herein, "wet gel" refers to any material produced when a solution of one or more associative polymers and optionally one or more surfactants is transitioned from a fluid state to a solid state. In certain embodiments, the wet gel maintains a slug-like consistency and is not sticky.

[00112] The wet gel comprises the resulting associatively networked polymer, optionally, one or more surfactants and a solvent. Generally, the wet gel contains about 20% by weight to about 80% by weight of the network polymer associatively. In one embodiment, the polymer wet gel comprises from about 25% by weight to about 50% by weight polymer. In certain embodiments, the polymer wet gel comprises from about 30% by weight to about 40% by weight polymer.

[00113] The wet gel can be processed into a powder by any suitable process. In some embodiments, the wet gel is processed to a powder by cutting the wet gel to form granules, drying the granules, and converting the dried granules to form a powder. In some embodiments, the wet gel is processed to a powder by drying the wet gel, cutting the wet gel into granules, and converting the granules into a powder. In some embodiments, the wet gel is processed into a powder by drying the wet gel, cutting the wet gel into granules, drying the granules, and converting dry granules to form a powder. The wet gel can be cut by any suitable method. In certain embodiments, the wet gel is mechanically processed (e.g., using a Retsch Mill Cutter) to form wet gel granules. In certain embodiments, the wet gel is cut with the aid of a lubricant. The lubricant can be any suitable lubricant (eg a petroleum oil based lubricant). The wet gel granules can be converted into a powder by any suitable method. In some embodiments, "converting the granules to form a powder" refers to the process of, for example, optionally drying the granules further, grinding the granules, or drying and grinding the granules to produce a powder, although the conversion may include further steps of processing. For example, converting the granules into a powder may further comprise sieving.

[00114] The powder may have any suitable moisture content. Generally, the moisture content is from about 0% by weight to about 30% by weight (for example, from about 0.01% by weight to about 30% by weight, from about 0.1% by weight to about 30% by weight, from about 1% by weight to about 30% by weight). In certain embodiments of the powder, the moisture content is from about 0% by weight to about 25% by weight (e.g., from about 0.01% by weight to about 25% by weight, from about 0 .1% by weight to about 25% by weight or from about 1% by weight to about 25% by weight). In certain embodiments of the powder, the moisture content is from about 0% by weight to about 20% by weight (e.g., from about 0.01% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 0 .1% by weight to about 20% by weight, from about 0.1% by weight to about 10% by weight, or from about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight). In certain embodiments, the moisture content is about 10% by weight.

[00115] The powder may have any suitable average particle size (i.e. average particle diameter). The average particle size can be determined by any suitable method known in the art. Generally, the average particle size is determined by a Horiba LA-950 Laser Dispersing Particle Size Distribution Analyzer. The powder may have an average particle size of about 1 micron or more, for example about 10 microns or more, about 20 microns or more, about 50 microns or more, about 100 microns or more, about 200 microns or more 500 microns or more. Alternatively or additionally, the powder may have an average particle size of about 10,000 microns or less, for example, about 8,000 microns or less, about 6,000 microns or less, about 4,000 microns or less, or about 2,000 microns or less. Thus, the powder may have an average particle size limited by any two of the aforementioned evaluation criteria. The powder may have an average particle size of about 1 micron to about 10,000 microns, for example, from about 1 micron to about 8,000 microns, from about 1 micron to about 6,000 microns, from about 1 micron to about 4,000 microns, from about 1 micron to about 2,000 microns, from about 10 microns to about 2,000 microns, from about 20 microns to about 2,000 microns, from about 50 microns to about 2,000 microns, from about 100 microns to about 2000 microns, from about 200 microns to about 2000 microns, or from about 500 microns to about 2000 microns.

[00116] The powder may have any suitable particle shape. In some embodiments, the powder particles are not spherical. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that non-spherical particles are generally formed when the powder has been manufactured by a gel-based, spray-on or drum-based process (e.g., through cutting and drying). In some embodiments, the powder particles are spherical. Without intending to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that spherical particles are generally formed when powder has been manufactured by a microbead-based process.

[00117] In some embodiments, the powder, at an average particle size of at least 300 microns, is soluble as up to a 20% by weight solution in water with agitation by a cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour at temperature environment. In some embodiments, the powder, at an average particle size of at least 300 microns, is soluble as up to a 10% by weight solution in water with agitation by a cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour at room temperature. In certain embodiments, the powder, at an average particle size of at least 300 microns, is soluble as up to a 5% by weight solution in water with agitation by a cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour at room temperature. In certain embodiments, the powder, at an average particle size of at least 300 microns, is soluble as up to a 1% by weight solution in water with agitation by a cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour at room temperature. In some embodiments, generally, when the powder does not comprise one or more surfactants, the powder, at an average particle size of at least 300 microns, does not dissolve completely, or is sparingly soluble in water (i.e., does not dissolve completely as a 1 wt% solution in water within one hour at room temperature). Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that chemical interactions (e.g., network binding) decrease as the concentrations of associative polymer (or associative polymers) and optional surfactant (or surfactants) are reduced below their critical concentration, thereby releasing the active polymer strength aid (ie, associative polymer) and further improving solubility. As used herein, "critical concentration" refers to the concentration at which the associative polymer (or associative polymers) and surfactant (or surfactants) transition from solution to maintain an organized network structure.

[00118] The resulting powder may have any suitable intrinsic viscosity. For example, the powder can have an intrinsic viscosity of from about 0.05 dL/g to about 7 dL/g (e.g., from about 0.05 dL/g to about 6 dL/g, from about 0. 05 dL/g to about 5 dL/g, from about 0.05 dL/g to about 4 dL/g, from about 0.05 dL/g to about 3 dL/g, from about 0.05 dL /g to about 2 dL/g, from about 0.05 dL/g to about 1 dL/g, from about 0.05 dL/g to about 0.5 dL/g, from about 0.1 dL /g to about 7 dL/g, from about 0.1 dL/g to about 6 dL/g, or 0.5 dL/g to about 5 dL/g). In some embodiments, the powder has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.1 dL/g to about 6. In certain embodiments, the powder has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.5 dL/g to about 5 dL/g.

[00119] The intrinsic viscosity (“IV”) is defined by a series of measurements of reduced specific viscosity (“RSV”) extrapolated up to the limit of infinite dilution, that is, when the powder concentration is equal to zero. RSV is measured at a given powder concentration and temperature and calculated as follows: where n is the viscosity of the powder solution, no is the viscosity of the solvent at the same temperature, t is the elution time of the powder solution, t0 is the elution time of the solvent and c is the concentration (g/dl) of the powder in solution. Thus, the intrinsic viscosity is defined by dL/g. The t and t0 variables are measured using powder and solvent solution that is in 1.0 N sodium nitrate solution with a Cannon Ubbelohde semi-micro dilution viscometer (size 75) at 30 ± 0.02 °C.

[00120] The resulting powder can have any suitable Huggins constant. For example, the resulting powder can have a Huggins constant between about 0.1 and about 20 (e.g., between about 0.1 and about 15, between about 0.1 and about 10, between about from about 0.3 to about 10, from about 0.1 to about 5 0.5 to about 20, from about 0.5 to about 10, from about 1 to about 20, from about 1 to about 10, or from about 1 to about 5). In some embodiments, the powder can have a Huggins constant between about 0.3 and about 10, as determined by varying concentrations of the powder, where concentrations have been chosen to produce a value between about 1.2 and about 10. 2.2 in a 1.0 sodium nitrate solution ). In some embodiments, the powder may have a Huggins constant of from about 0.3 to about 5, as determined by varying concentrations of the powder, where the concentrations have been chosen such that they produce a value of between about 1.2 and 2.2, in a 1.0 sodium nitrate solution ). In certain embodiments, the powder has a Huggins constant of from about 0.6 to about 3, as determined by varying concentrations of the powder, where the concentrations have been chosen such that they produce a value of one of about 1 ,2 and 2,2, in a 1.0 sodium nitrate solution ). The Huggins constant is calculated as follows:

[00121] A powder is also provided in this document. The powder comprises one or more associatively networked polymers comprising one or more associative monomer units and one or more monomer units selected from at least one of a cationic monomer unit, an anionic monomer unit, an non-ionic, a zwitterionic monomer unit, or a combination thereof, and optionally one or more surfactants, wherein the associative polymer (or associative polymers) has a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa . In some embodiments, the powder comprises one or more low molecular weight associative polymers that are reversibly associated with a polymeric network, the association being controllable through the degree of dilution in aqueous medium or amount of surfactant present.

[00122] In some embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and a cationic monomer unit additional. In some embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA .MCQ. In some embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from VISIOMER® C18PEG1105MA monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant of Formula XII and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from VISIOMER® C18PEGO1105MA monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA. MCQ. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises PLURONIC® F-127 surfactant and/or LutensolAT®25 surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from VISIOMER® C18PEG1105MA monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide and a additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ.

[00123] In some embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an anionic monomer unit additional. In some embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from acrylate of sodium. In some embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula II monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from VISIOMER® C18PEG1105MA monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises a nonionic surfactant of Formula XII and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from VISIOMER® C18PEG1105MA monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from acrylate sodium. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises PLURONIC® F-127 surfactant and/or LutensolAT®25 surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from VISIOMER® C18PEG1105MA monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide and a additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate.

[00124] In some embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional cationic monomer unit . In some embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA. MCQ. In some embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from the MAPTAC-C12 derivative of Formula VII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA. MCQ. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant of Formula IX, and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from the MAPTAC-C12 derivative of Formula VII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived of DMEA. MCQ. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and/or hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from the MAPTAC-C12 derivative of Formula VII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide and a of additional monomer derived from DMAEA.MCQ.

[00125] In some embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional anionic monomer unit . In some embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from phosphate acrylate. sodium. In some embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VI monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from the MAPTAC-C12 derivative of Formula VII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate. . In certain embodiments, the powder comprises a cationic surfactant of Formula IX, and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from the MAPTAC-C12 derivative of Formula VII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived of sodium acrylate. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and/or hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from the MAPTAC-C12 derivative of Formula VII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide and a of additional monomer derived from sodium acrylate.

[00126] In some embodiments, the powder comprises an anionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional cationic monomer unit . In some embodiments, the powder comprises an anionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA. MCQ. In some embodiments, the powder comprises an anionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises an anionic surfactant of formula X and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula VIII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA. MCQ. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises sodium dodecyl sulfate and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from DMAEA.MCQ.

[00127] In some embodiments, the powder comprises an anionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an anionic monomer unit additional. In some embodiments, the powder comprises an anionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, a monomer unit derived from a Formula I monomer, and an additional monomer unit derived from Ethanol acrylate. sodium. In some embodiments, the powder comprises an anionic surfactant and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises an anionic surfactant of formula X and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula VIII, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide and an additional monomer unit derived from acrylate. sodium. In certain embodiments, the powder comprises sodium dodecyl sulfate and an associative polymer comprising an associative monomer unit derived from a Formula VIII monomer, an additional monomer unit derived from acrylamide, and an additional monomer unit derived from sodium acrylate.

[00128] The individual components of the powder, for example, the one or more associative polymers and one or more optional surfactants, are as defined by the parameters set forth herein.

[00129] The individual structures of one or more associative polymers, for example, one or more associative monomer units and one or more monomer units selected from at least one of a cationic monomer unit, an anionic monomer unit , a non-ionic monomer unit, a zwitterionic monomer unit, or a combination thereof, are as defined by the parameters set forth herein.

[00130] The individual structures of one or more surfactants are as defined by the parameters established in this document.

[00131] The amounts of the individual components of the powder, for example, the amount of one or more associative polymers and, optionally, one or more surfactants, are as defined by the parameters set forth herein.

[00132] The amounts of the individual monomer units of the associative polymer (or associative polymers), for example, the amount of one or more associative monomer units and one or more monomer units selected from at least one of a unit of cationic monomer unit, an anionic monomer unit, a non-ionic monomer unit, a zwitterionic monomer unit or a combination thereof, are as defined by the parameters set forth herein.

[00133] In certain embodiments, the physical characteristics of the powder are as defined by the parameters set forth in this document.

[00134] The invention is further illustrated by the following embodiments.

[00135] (1) A powder comprising one or more associative polymers comprising one or more associative monomer units and one or more additional monomer units selected from at least one of a cationic monomer unit, a monomer unit anionic unit, a nonionic monomer unit, a zwitterionic monomer unit, or a combination thereof, and, optionally, one or more surfactants, wherein the associative polymer (or associative polymers) has a weight average molecular weight of about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[00136] (2) The powder of embodiment (1), wherein the one or more associative monomer units are derived from an acrylate monomer, an acrylamide monomer, or a combination thereof.

[00137] (3) The powder of embodiment (1) or (2), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a nonionic associative monomer unit.

[00138] (4) The powder of embodiment (3), in which the non-ionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula II: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, m, n and are independently integers from 0 to 100, where when (n + o) < 3, m is at least 7, each Y1 and Y2 are independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group.

[00139] (5) The powder of embodiment (4), in which the nonionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula III: where R5 is -CH2(CH2)pCH3, R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, and p is an integer from 3 to 100.

[00140] (6) The powder of embodiment (5), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from lauryl acrylate, cetyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, berenyl acrylate or a combination thereof.

[00141] (7) The powder of embodiment (6), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from lauryl acrylate.

[00142] (8) The powder of embodiment (4), in which the non-ionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of formula IV: wherein R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, q is an integer from 2 to 100, r is an integer from 0 to 30, and each Y is independently H or CH3.

[00143] (9) The powder of modality (8), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from polyethoxy lauryl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy cetyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy(25) berenyl or a combination thereof.

[00144] (10) The powder of the modality (9), wherein the non-ionic monomer unit derived from a mixture of polyethoxy cetyl methacrylate (25) and polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25).

[00145] (11) The powder of embodiment (1) or (2), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a cationic associative monomer unit.

[00146] (12) The powder of modality (11), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VI: wherein R6 and R7 are each independently H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, s is an integer from 0 to 20, Z is any anion, and R8 is a hydrophobic group.

[00147] (13) The powder of modality (12), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VII: where R6 is H or C1-C10 alkyl and m is an integer from 0 to 30.

[00148] (14) The powder of modality (13), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VII: where R6 is CH3 and I is 10.

[00149] (15) The powder of embodiment (1) or (2), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise an anionic associative monomer unit.

[00150] (16) The powder of modality (15), in which the anionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VIII: wherein R9 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, M is any cation, and each R10 is independently H or an organic group.

[00151] (17) The powder of any one of embodiments (1) to (16), in which the additional monomer unit derived from a monomer selected from a monomer of Formula I: wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and each R2 is independently H or an organic group; 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate ("DMAEM"), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide ("DMAPMA"), 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide ("DMAPA") ”), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“MAPTAC”), 3-acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“APTAC”), N-vinyl pyrrolidone (“NVP”), N-vinyl acetamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl ethylacrylate, diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC"), diallylamine, vinylformamide, 2-(acryloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEA.MCQ"), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEM.MCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethylacrylate benzyl chloride ("DMAEA.BCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate benzyl chloride ("DMAEM.BCQ"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ( “AMPS”), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid (“AMBS”), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid ; salts thereof; and combinations thereof.

[00152] (18) The powder of embodiment (17), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula I: wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and each R2 is independently H or an organic group.

[00153] (19) The powder of embodiment (18), wherein the organic group is a C1-C6 alkyl group.

[00154] (20) The powder of modality (18), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from acrylamide.

[00155] (21) The powder of the modality (19), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from methacrylamide.

[00156] (22) The powder of embodiment (17), in which the additional monomer unit is a cationic monomer unit derived from a monomer selected from 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), methacrylate 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl ("DMAEM"), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide ("DMAPMA"), 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide ("DMAPA"), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride ("MAPTAC"), of 3-acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium ("APTAC"), diallyldimethylammonium chloride ('DADMAC", diallylamine, N-vinylacetamide, ethyl methacrylate hydroxyl, ethyl acrylate hydroxyl, diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC"), diallylamine, 2-(acryloxy)-N,N chloride ,N-trimethylethanaminium (“DMAEA.MCQ”), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride (“DMAEM.MCQ”), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate benzyl chloride (“DMAEA.BCQ ”), benzyl methacrylate N,N-dimethylaminoethyl chloride (“DMAEM.BCQ”), salts thereof, and combinations thereof.

[00157] (23) The powder of embodiment (22), wherein the additional monomer unit is derived from 2-(acryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEA.MCQ").

[00158] (24) The powder of modality (22), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC").

[00159] (25) The powder of embodiment (17), in which the additional monomer unit is an anionic monomer unit derived from a monomer selected from 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ("AMPS"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid ("AMBS"), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[00160] (26) The powder of the modality (25), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from acrylic acid.

[00161] (27) The powder of the modality (25), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from sodium acrylate.

[00162] (28) The powder of any one of embodiments 1 to 27, wherein the powder comprises one or more surfactants.

[00163] (29) The powder of the modality (28), in which the surfactant is an anionic surfactant.

[00164] (30) The powder of the modality (29), in which the anionic surfactant is a sulfate salt of Formula X: where B is any cation and f is an integer from 7 to 35.

[00165] (31) The powder of the modality (30), in which the anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

[00166] (32) The powder of the modality (28), in which the surfactant is a cationic surfactant.

[00167] (33) The powder of the modality (32), in which the cationic surfactant is an ammonium salt of Formula IX: where each R11 is independently H or C1-C10 alkyl, A is any anion and d is an integer from 6 to 34.

[00168] (34) Modality powder (33), in which the cationic surfactant is hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluosulfonate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride or a combination thereof.

[00169] (35) The powder of the modality (28), in which the surfactant is non-ionic.

[00170] (36) The powder of embodiment (35), in which the non-ionic surfactant is a block or random polymer comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or a combination thereof.

[00171] (37) The powder of the modality (36), in which the polymer is of Formula XI: where a, b and c are integers that are in the range from about 2 to about 200 and a, b and c are the same or different.

[00172] (38) The powder of the modality (37), in which the non-ionic surfactant is HO(C2H4O)101(C3H6O)56(C2H4O)101H.

[00173] (39) The powder of the modality (35), in which the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XII: where g is an integer in the range of about 6 to about 50, R12 and R13 are each independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, and h and h are independently integers that are in the range of 0 to about 100.

[00174] (40) The powder of the modality (39), in which the non-ionic surfactant is a polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether of formula C18H37(OC2H4)h'OH, where h' is an integer that is in the range of about from 2 to about 200.

[00175] (41) The powder of the modality (35), in which the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XIII: where w, x, y and z are integers from about 0 to about 50 and w, x, y and z are the same or different.

[00176] (42) The powder of the modality (41), in which the non-ionic surfactant is the TWEEN® 20 surfactant, that is, w+x+y+z=20.

[00177] (43) The powder of the modality (39), in which the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XII: where g is an integer in the range from about 6 to about 50, i is 0, R12 is H, and h is an integer in the range from about 2 to about 30.

[00178] (44) Modality powder (43), in which the non-ionic surfactant polyethoxy lauryl alcohol (25), polyethoxy cetyl alcohol (25), polyethoxy stearyl alcohol (25), polyethoxy berenyl alcohol (25) or a combination of the same.

[00179] (45) Modality powder (44), in which the nonionic surfactant is a mixture of polyethoxy cetyl alcohol (25) and polyethoxy stearyl alcohol (25).

[00180] (46) The powder of any one of embodiments (1) to (45), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a total sum of about 0.005% by mol to about 10% by mol of one or more more associative monomer units.

[00181] (47) The powder of embodiment (46), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a sum total from about 0.005 mol% to about 0.50 mol% of the one or more associative monomer units .

[00182] (48) The powder of embodiment (47), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a sum total of about 0.005% by mol to about 0.25% by mol of the one or more associative monomer units .

[00183] (49) The powder of any one of embodiments (1) to (48), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a sum total of from about 90 mol% to about 99.995 mol% of one or more plus additional monomer units.

[00184] (50) The powder of embodiment (49), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a sum total of from about 99.5% by mole to about 99.995% by mole of one or more additional monomer units.

[00185] (51) The powder of embodiment (50), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a sum total of from about 99.75% by mole to about 99.995% by mole of one or more additional monomer units.

[00186] (52) The powder of any one of embodiments (1) to (51), wherein the powder has a median particle size of at least 300 microns, is completely soluble as up to a 1% solution by weight in water with stirring by a cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour at room temperature.

[00187] (53) The powder of embodiments (1) to (27), wherein the powder, with an average particle size of at least 300 microns, is poorly soluble in water (that is, it did not dissolve completely as a 1 wt% solution in water within one hour at room temperature).

[00188] (54) The powder of any one of Embodiments (1) to (53), wherein the one or more associative polymers have a weight average molecular weight of about 200 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

[00189] (55) The powder of embodiment (54), wherein the one or more associative polymers have a weight average molecular weight of about 500 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

[00190] (56) The powder of embodiment (55), wherein the one or more associative polymers have a weight average molecular weight of about 800 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

[00191] (57) The powder of any one of embodiments (1) to (56), wherein the powder has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.05 dL/g to about 7 dL/g.

[00192] (58) The powder of embodiment (57), wherein the powder has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.5 dL/g to about 5 dL/g.

[00193] (59) The powder of any one of embodiments (1) to (58), wherein the powder has a Huggins constant of from about 0.3 to about 10.

[00194] (60) The powder of embodiment (59), wherein the powder has a Huggins constant of about 0.3 to about 5.

[00195] (61) The powder of any one of embodiments (28) to (60), wherein the powder comprises a total sum of from about 0.001% by weight to about 20% by weight of one or more surfactants.

[00196] (62) The powder of embodiment (28), wherein the powder comprises cetyl alcohol and/or polyethoxy stearyl (25) and an associative polymer comprising acrylamide, DMAEA.MCQ and cetyl and/or polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25 ).

[00197] (63) The powder of embodiment (28), wherein the powder comprises cetyl alcohol and/or polyethoxy stearyl (25) and an associative polymer comprising monomer units derived from acrylamide, sodium acrylate and cetyl methacrylate and /or stearyl polyethoxy (25).

[00198] (64) The powder of embodiment (28), wherein the powder comprises hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate and/or cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and an associative polymer comprising acrylamide-derived monomer units, DMAEA.MCQ and Formula VII: where R6 is CH3 and I is 10.

[00199] (65) The powder of embodiment (28), wherein the powder comprises hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate and/or cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and an associative polymer comprising monomer units derived from acrylamide, sodium acrylate and Formula VII: where R6 is CH3 and I is 10.

[00200] (66) An associative polymer of formula AP1: wherein E is one or more associative monomer units, F is one or more additional monomer units, G is one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I, H is optionally present and is one or more piperidine units -2,6-dione, wherein the one or more piperidine-2,6-diones are formed by cyclizing an acrylamide nitrogen of the monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula I ("G") to a carbonyl of the unit of additional monomer ("F"), and wherein the associative polymer has a weight average molecular weight of from about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[00201] (67) The associative polymer of the modality (66), in which H is not present, and the associative polymer is of the formula AP2: wherein E is one or more associative monomer units, E' is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 10, F is one or more additional monomer units, F' is a mole percent value of about 0.005 to about 90, G is one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I, and G' is a mole percent value from about 10 to about 99.99.

[00202] (68) The associative polymer of embodiment (67), wherein E' is about 0.005 mol% to about 1 mol%, F' is about 4 mol% to about 16% by mol and G' is from about 84% by mol to about 96% by mol.

[00203] (69) The associative polymer of embodiment (67) or 68), wherein E is a nonionic associative monomer unit.

[00204] (70) The associative polymer of embodiment (69), in which the nonionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula II: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, m, n and are independently integers from 0 to 100, where when (n + o) < 3, m is at least 7, each Y1 and Y2 are independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group.

[00205] (71) The associative polymer of embodiment (70), in which the nonionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula III: where R5 is -CH2(CH2)pCH3, R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, and p is an integer from 3 to 100.

[00206] (72) The associative polymer of embodiment (71), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from lauryl acrylate, cetyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, berenyl acrylate or a combination thereof.

[00207] (73) The associative polymer of embodiment (72), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from laurylacrylate.

[00208] (74) The associative polymer of embodiment (70), in which the nonionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula IV: wherein R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, q is an integer from 2 to 100, r is an integer from 0 to 30, and each Y is independently H or CH3.

[00209] (75) The associative polymer of the embodiment (74), wherein the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from polyethoxy lauryl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy cetyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy(25) berenyl methacrylate or a combination thereof.

[00210] (76) The associative polymer of the embodiment (75), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from a mixture of polyethoxy cetyl methacrylate (25) and polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25).

[00211] (77) The associative polymer of embodiment (67) or (68), wherein E is a cationic associative monomer unit.

[00212] (78) The associative polymer of the modality (77), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VI: wherein R6 and R7 are each independently H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, s is an integer from 0 to 20, Z is any anion, and R8 is a hydrophobic group.

[00213] (79) The associative polymer of the modality (78), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VII: where R6 is H or C1-C10 alkyl and m is an integer from 0 to 30.

[00214] (80) The associative polymer of the modality (79), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VII: where R6 is CH3 and I is 10.

[00215] (81) The associative polymer of embodiment (67) or (68), wherein E is an anionic associative monomer unit.

[00216] (82) The associative polymer of the modality (81), in which the anionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VIII: wherein R9 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, M is any cation, and each R10 is independently H or a hydrophobic group.

[00217] (83) The associative polymer according to any one of embodiments (67) to (82), wherein F is derived from a monomer selected from 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (“DMAEM”), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide (“DMAPMA”), 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide (“DMAPA”), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“MAPTAC”), 3-acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride ("APTAC" "), N-vinylpyrrolidone ("NVP"), N-vinylacetamide, ethyl methacrylate hydroxyl, ethyl acrylate hydroxyl, diallyldimethylammonium ("DADMAC"), diallylamine, vinylformamide, 2-(acryloxy)-chloride N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium ("DMAEA.MCQ"), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEM.MCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate benzyl chloride (" DMAEA.BCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate methyl chloride ("DMAEM.BCQ"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ("AMPS"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid ( "AMBS"), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[00218] (84) The associative polymer of embodiment (83), in which F is derived from a monomer selected from diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC"), 2-(acryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanammonium chloride ( "DMAEA.MCQ"), acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[00219] (85) The associative polymer of any one of embodiments (67) to (84), in which G is derived from a monomer of Formula I: wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and each R2 is independently H or an organic group.

[00220] (86) The associative polymer of embodiment (85), wherein the organic group is a C1-C6 alkyl group.

[00221] (87) The associative polymer of embodiment (86), in which G is derived from a monomer selected from acrylamide, methacrylamide or a combination thereof.

[00222] (88) The associative polymer of the modality (66), in which H is present, and the associative polymer is of the formula AP3: wherein E is one or more associative monomer units, E" is a mole percent value from about 0.005 to about 10, F is one or more additional monomer units, F" is a mole percent value of about 0.005 to about 90, G is one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I, G” is a mole percent value from about 10 to about 99.99, H is one or more piperidine- 2,6-dione, and H” is a mole percent value from about 0 (i.e., trace amounts) to about 10.

[00223] (89) The associative polymer of the modality (88), where H is of the formula , where R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and R2 is H or an organic group.

[00224] (90) The associative polymer of embodiment (89), wherein the organic group is a C1-C6 alkyl group.

[00225] (91) The associative polymer of the modality (89), in which R1 and R2 are hydrogen.

[00226] (92) The associative polymer of any one of embodiments (88) to (91), wherein E" is about 0.005 mol% to about 1 mol%, F" is about 4% mol % to about 10 mol %, G' is from about 84 mol % to about 90 mol %, and H' is from about 0 mol % (i.e., trace amounts) to about 10 % in mol.

[00227] (93) The associative polymer of any one of embodiments (88) to (92), wherein E is a nonionic associative monomer unit.

[00228] (94) The associative polymer of embodiment (93), in which the non-ionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula II: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, m, n and are independently integers from 0 to 100, where when (n + o) < 3, m is at least 7, each Y1 and Y2 are independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group.

[00229] (95) The associative polymer of embodiment (94), in which the nonionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula III: where R5 is -CH2(CH2)pCH3, R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, and p is an integer from 3 to 100.

[00230] (96) The associative polymer of embodiment (95), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from lauryl acrylate, cetyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, berenyl acrylate or a combination thereof.

[00231] (97) The associative polymer of embodiment (96), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from laurylacrylate.

[00232] (98) The associative polymer of embodiment (93), in which the non-ionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula IV: wherein R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, q is an integer from 2 to 100, r is an integer from 0 to 30, and each Y is independently H or CH3.

[00233] (99) The associative polymer of the embodiment (94), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from polyethoxy lauryl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy cetyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy(25) berenyl methacrylate or a combination thereof.

[00234] (100) The associative polymer of embodiment (99), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from a mixture of polyethoxy cetyl methacrylate (25) and polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25).

[00235] (101) The associative polymer of any one of embodiments (88) to (92), wherein E is a cationic associative monomer unit.

[00236] (102) The associative polymer of the modality (101), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VI: wherein R6 and R7 are each independently H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, s is an integer from 0 to 20, Z is any anion, and R8 is a hydrophobic group.

[00237] (103) The associative polymer of the modality (102), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VII: where R6 is H or C1-C10 alkyl and m is an integer from 0 to 30.

[00238] (104) The associative polymer of the modality (103), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VII: where R6 is CH3 and I is 10.

[00239] (105) The associative polymer of any one of embodiments (88) to (92), wherein E is an anionic associative monomer unit.

[00240] (106) The associative polymer of the modality (105), in which the anionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VIII: wherein R9 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, M is any cation, and each R10 is independently H or a hydrophobic group.

[00241] (107) The associative polymer of any one of embodiments (88) to (106), in which G is derived from a monomer of Formula I: wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and each R2 is independently H or an organic group.

[00242] (108) The associative polymer of embodiment (107), wherein the organic group is a C1-C6 alkyl group.

[00243] (109) The associative polymer of embodiment (107), wherein G is derived from acrylamide.

[00244] (110) The associative polymer of embodiment (108), wherein G is derived from methacrylamide.

[00245] (111) The associative polymer according to any one of embodiments (88) to (110), wherein F is derived from a monomer selected from 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (“DMAEM”), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide (“DMAPMA”), 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide (“DMAPA”), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“MAPTAC”), 3-acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride ("APTAC" "), N-vinylpyrrolidone ("NVP"), N-vinylacetamide, ethyl methacrylate hydroxyl, ethyl acrylate hydroxyl, diallyldimethylammonium ("DADMAC"), diallylamine, vinylformamide, 2-(acryloxy)-chloride N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium ("DMAEA.MCQ"), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEM.MCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate benzyl chloride (" DMAEA.BCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate methyl chloride ("DMAEM.BCQ"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ("AMPS"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid ( "AMBS"), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[00246] (112) The associative polymer of embodiment (111), where F is a cationic monomer unit derived from a monomer selected from 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), 2- (dimethylamino)ethyl ("DMAEM"), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide ("DMAPMA"), 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide ("DMAPA"), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride ("MAPTAC"), 3- acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium ("APTAC" "), N-vinylpyrrolidone ("NVP"), N-vinylacetamide, ethyl methacrylate hydroxyl, ethyl acrylate hydroxyl, diallyldimethylammonium ("DADMAC"), diallylamine, vinylformamide, 2-(acryloxy)-N,N, chloride N-trimethylethanaminium (“DMAEA.MCQ”), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride (“DMAEM.MCQ”), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate benzyl chloride (“DMAEA.BCQ” ), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate methyl chloride ("DMAEM.BCQ"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ("AMPS"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid ("AMBS") , [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[00247] (113) The associative polymer of embodiment (112), wherein F is derived from 2-(acryloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEA.MCQ").

[00248] (114) The associative polymer of embodiment (112), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC").

[00249] (115) The associative polymer of embodiment (111), where F is an anionic monomer unit of a monomer selected from 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ("AMPS"), 2-acrylamido acid - 2-methylbutane sulfonic ("AMBS"), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[00250] (116) The associative polymer of embodiment (115), wherein F is derived from acrylic acid.

[00251] (117) The associative polymer of embodiment (115), wherein F is derived from sodium acrylate.

[00252] (118) The associative polymer of any one of embodiments (66) to (117), wherein the associative polymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 200 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[00253] (119) The associative polymer of embodiment (118), wherein the associative polymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[00254] (120) The associative polymer of embodiment (119), wherein the associative polymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 800 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

[00255] (121) The associative polymer of embodiment (88), wherein the associative polymer is of the formula AP4: wherein each R1 is independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, each R2 is independently H or an organic group, R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, m, n and n are independently integers from 0 to 100, wherein when (n + o) < 3, m is at least 7, each Yi and Y2 are independently H or C1-C4 alkyl and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group.

[00256] (122) The associative polymer of embodiment (88), wherein the associative polymer is of the formula AP6: where r is an integer from 0 to 30 and each Y is independently H or CH3.

[00257] (123) The associative polymer of embodiment (88), wherein the associative polymer is of formula AP7: wherein each R1 is independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, each R2 is independently H or an organic group, R6 and R7 are each independently H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, s is an integer from 0 to 20, Z is any anion and R8 is a hydrophobic group.

[00258] (124) The associative polymer of embodiment (88), wherein the associative polymer is of the formula AP9: where R6 is H or C1-C10 alkyl and m is an integer from 0 to 30.

[00259] (125) The associative polymer of embodiment (88), wherein the associative polymer is of formula AP11: wherein R9 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, M is any cation, and each R10 is independently H or a hydrophobic group.

[00260] (126) A process for manufacturing a powder comprising forming a powder from a wet gel, wherein the wet gel comprises one or more associative polymers and, optionally, one or more surfactants, wherein one or more most associative polymers have a weight average molecular weight of about 10 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[00261] (127) The process of embodiment (126), in which the wet gel is mechanically processed into a powder.

[00262] (128) The process of embodiment (126) or (127), wherein one or more associative polymers comprise one or more associative monomer units derived from an acrylate monomer, acrylamide monomer or a combination thereof.

[00263] (129) The process of any one of embodiments (126) to (128), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a nonionic associative monomer unit.

[00264] (130) The process of embodiment (129), in which the non-ionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula II: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, m, n and are independently integers from 0 to 100, where when (n + o) < 3, m is at least 7, each Y1 and Y2 are independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group.

[00265] (131) The process of embodiment (130), in which the non-ionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula where R5 is -CH2(CH2)pCH3, R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, and p is an integer from 3 to 100.

[00266] (132) The process of embodiment (131), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from lauryl acrylate, cetyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, berenyl acrylate or a combination thereof.

[00267] (133) The process of embodiment (132), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from laurylacrylate.

[00268] (134) The process of embodiment (130), in which the non-ionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula IV: wherein R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, q is an integer from 2 to 100, r is an integer from 0 to 30, and each Y is independently H or CH3.

[00269] (135) The process of embodiment (132), in which the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from polyethoxy lauryl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy cetyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate of polyethoxy berenyl (25) or a combination thereof.

[00270] (136) The process of embodiment (135), in which the non-ionic monomer unit derived from a mixture of polyethoxy cetyl methacrylate (25) and polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25).

[00271] (137) The process of any one of embodiments (126) to (128), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise a cationic associative monomer unit.

[00272] (138) The process of embodiment (137), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VI: wherein R6 and R7 are each independently H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, s is an integer from 0 to 20, Z is any anion, and R8 is a hydrophobic group.

[00273] (139) The process of embodiment (138), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VII: where R6 is H or C1-C10 alkyl and m is an integer from 0 to 30.

[00274] (140) The process of embodiment (139), in which the cationic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VII: where R6 is CH3 and I is 10.

[00275] (141) The process of any one of embodiments (126) to (128), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise an anionic associative monomer unit.

[00276] (142) The process of embodiment (141), in which the anionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula VIII: wherein R9 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, M is any cation, and each R10 is independently H or a hydrophobic group.

[00277] (143) The process of any one of embodiments (126) to (142), wherein the one or more associative polymers comprise one or more additional monomer units selected from a cationic monomer unit, an anionic monomer unit , a non-ionic monomer unit and a combination thereof.

[00278] (144) The process of embodiment (143), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from a monomer selected from a monomer of Formula I: wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and each R2 is independently H or an organic group; 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate ("DMAEM"), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide ("DMAPMA"), 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide ("DMAPA") ”), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“MAPTAC”), 3-acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“APTAC”), N-vinyl pyrrolidone (“NVP”), N-vinyl acetamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl ethylacrylate, diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC"), diallylamine, vinylformamide, 2-(acryloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEA.MCQ"), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEM.MCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethylacrylate benzyl chloride ("DMAEA.BCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate benzyl chloride ("DMAEM.BCQ"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ( “AMPS”), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid (“AMBS”), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid ; salts thereof; and combinations thereof.

[00279] (145) The process of embodiment (143) or (144), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula I: wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and each R2 is independently H or an organic group.

[00280] (146) The process of embodiment (145), wherein the organic group is a C1-C6 alkyl group.

[00281] (147) The process of embodiment (145), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from acrylamide.

[00282] (148) The process of embodiment (146), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from methacrylamide.

[00283] (149) The process of embodiment (144), in which the additional monomer unit is a cationic monomer unit derived from a monomer selected from 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), methacrylate 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl ("DMAEM"), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide ("DMAPMA"), 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide ("DMAPA"), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride ("MAPTAC"), of 3-acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium ("APTAC" diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC"), diallylamine, 2-(acryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEA.MCQ"), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-chloride N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium (“DMAEM.MCQ”), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate benzyl chloride (“DMAEA.BCQ”), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate benzyl chloride (“DMAEM.BCQ”) , , salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[00284] (150) The process of embodiment (149), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from 2-(acrylyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEA.MCQ").

[00285] (151) The process of embodiment (149), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from diallyldimethylammonium chloride ("DADMAC").

[00286] (152) The process of embodiment (144), in which the additional monomer unit is an anionic monomer unit derived from a monomer selected from 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ("AMPS"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid ("AMBS"), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof.

[00287] (153) The process of embodiment (152), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from acrylic acid.

[00288] (154) The process of embodiment (152), in which the additional monomer unit is derived from sodium acrylate.

[00289] (155) The process of any one of the embodiments (126) to (154), in which the wet gel comprises one or more surfactants.

[00290] (156) The process of embodiment (155), in which the surfactant is an anionic surfactant.

[00291] (157) The process of embodiment (156), in which the anionic surfactant is a sulfate salt of Formula X: where B is any cation and f is an integer from 7 to 35.

[00292] (158) The process of embodiment (157), in which the anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.

[00293] (159) The process of embodiment (155), in which the surfactant is a cationic surfactant.

[00294] (160) The process of embodiment (159), in which the cationic surfactant is an ammonium salt of Formula IX: where each R11 is independently H or C1-C10 alkyl, A is any anion and d is an integer from 6 to 34.

[00295] (161) The process of embodiment (160), in which the cationic surfactant is hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluosulfonate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride or a combination thereof.

[00296] (162) The process of embodiment (155), in which the surfactant is non-ionic.

[00297] (163) The process of embodiment (162), in which the non-ionic surfactant is a block or random polymer, comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or a combination thereof.

[00298] (164) The process of embodiment (163), in which the polymer is of Formula XI: where a, b and c are integers that are in the range from about 2 to about 200 and a, b and c are the same or different.

[00299] (165) The process of embodiment (164), in which the nonionic surfactant is HO(C2H4O)101(C3H6O)56(C2H4O)101H.

[00300] (166) The process of embodiment (165), in which the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XII: where g is an integer in the range of about 6 to about 50, R12 and R13 are each independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, and h and h are independently integers that are in the range of 0 to about 100.

[00301] (167) The process of embodiment (166), in which the non-ionic surfactant is a polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether of the Formula C18H37(OC2H4)h'OH, in which h' is an integer that is in the range of about from 2 and about 200.

[00302] (168) The process of embodiment (162), in which the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XIII: where w, x, y and z are integers from about 0 to about 50 and w, x, y and z are the same or different.

[00303] (169) The process of modality (168), in which the non-ionic surfactant is the TWEEN® 20 surfactant, that is, w+x+y+z=20.

[00304] (170) The process of embodiment (166), in which the nonionic surfactant is of Formula XII: where g is an integer in the range from about 6 to about 50, i is 0, R12 is H, and h is an integer in the range from about 2 to about 30.

[00305] (171) The process of embodiment (170), in which the non-ionic surfactant is polyethoxy lauryl alcohol (25), polyethoxy cetyl alcohol (25), polyethoxy stearyl alcohol (25), polyethoxy berenyl alcohol (25), or a combination thereof.

[00306] (172) The process of embodiment (171), in which the non-ionic surfactant is a mixture of polyethoxy cetyl alcohol (25) and polyethoxy stearyl alcohol (25).

[00307] (173) The process of any one of embodiments (155) to (172), in which the one or more associative polymers are formed in the presence of a surfactant.

[00308] (174) The process of any one of embodiments (126) to (172), in which the one or more associative polymers are formed in the absence of a surfactant.

[00309] (175) The process of embodiment (174), in which one or more surfactants are added to the powder.

[00310] (176) The process of any one of embodiments (126) to (175), wherein the powder, with an average particle size of at least 300 microns, is completely soluble as up to 1% by weight of solution in water with agitation by a cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour at room temperature.

[00311] (177) The process of any of the embodiments (126) to (154), in which the powder, with an average particle size of at least 300 microns, is poorly soluble in water (that is, it did not dissolve completely as a 1 wt% solution in water within one hour at room temperature).

[00312] (178) The process of any one of embodiments (126) to (177), wherein the one or more associative polymers have a weight average molecular weight of about 200 kDa to about 2000 kDa.

[00313] (179) The process of embodiment (178), wherein the one or more associative polymers have a weight average molecular weight of about 500 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

[00314] (180) The process of embodiment (179), wherein the one or more associative polymers have a weight average molecular weight of about 800 kDa to about 2,000 kDa.

[00315] (181) The process of any one of embodiments (126) to (180), wherein the powder has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.05 dL/g to about 7 dL/g.

[00316] (182) The process of embodiment (181), wherein the powder has an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.5 dL/g to about 5 dL/g.

[00317] (183) The process of any one of embodiments (126) to (182), wherein the powder has a Huggins constant of from about 0.3 to about 10.

[00318] (184) The process of embodiment (183), wherein the powder has a Huggins constant of about 0.3 to about 5.

[00319] The following examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed in any way as limiting its scope.

EXAMPLE 1

[00320] This example, provided as a control, demonstrates the effect on the unmachineability of a powder exhibited by a low molecular weight polymer without networking through an associative monomer unit or a surfactant.

[00321] Polymer 1 (control) comprising 95/5% by mole of acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ was synthesized as follows: A 1,000 g aqueous solution at pH 2 to 5 containing 34% by weight of monomer mixture of 95/5 mole % acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ, azo initiator, chain transfer agent, buffer and chelator was cooled to approximately -5 °C and degassed with nitrogen. Polymerization was initiated with a pair of redox agents and proceeded adiabatically until monomer conversion reached greater than 99.99% to obtain the target molecular weight of 1 x 106 g/mol. The resulting polymeric gel was too soft and sticky to be processed with the aid of 1% by weight (relative to the weight of the polymeric gel) of petroleum oil-based lubricant in a cutting milling machine (Restch Mill Cutter) at 1,500 rpm. The resulting polymeric gel was manually broken into small pieces on a tray and dried in an oven at 85 °C to remove moisture, and then ground to a powder with an intrinsic viscosity of 3.20 dg/L and a Huggins constant of 0 .31 in 1.0 N NaNO3 solution at 30 °C. The weight average molecular weight was determined by hydrolysis (using 0.1% by weight NaOH solution at pH 12 with a cage shaker at 400 rpm for one hour) of the resulting polymer, followed by size exclusion chromatography .

[00322] As is evident from the results shown in Table 1, the low molecular weight Polymer 1, without temporary network bonding through an associative monomer, did not have the ability to be mechanically processed to form a powder. This was further evidenced by the procedure which requires manual splitting of the soft, sticky polymer. Table 1

EXAMPLE 2

[00323] This example demonstrates the effect on mechanically processability into a powder exhibited by a low molecular weight polymer comprising a temporary bond through an associative monomer unit and a surfactant.

[00324] Polymer 2 comprising 94.94/5/0.06% by mole of acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ/C18PEG1105MA was synthesized as follows: A 1,000 g aqueous solution at pH 2 to 5 containing 34% by weight 94.94/5/0.06 mol% acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ/C18PEG1105MA monomeric blend (VISIOMER® monomer; 55% active; Evonik Industries, Essen, Germany), 1% by weight surfactant PLURONIC® F127 (BASF Corporation, Florham Park, New Jersey), azo initiator, chain transfer agent, buffering agent, and chelating agent were cooled to approximately -5 °C and degassed with nitrogen. Polymerization was initiated with a pair of redox agents and proceeded adiabatically until monomer conversion reached greater than 99.99% to obtain the target molecular weight of 1 x 106 g/mol. The resulting wet gel, which maintained a sludge-like consistency and was not sticky, was processed with the aid of 1% by weight (relative to the weight of polymeric gel) of petroleum oil-based lubricant in a milling cutter (Retsch Mill Cutter) at 1,500 rpm to form granules. The wet gel granules were dried on a mesh tray in an oven at 85 °C to decrease the moisture content to about 10% by weight and then ground to a powder that has an intrinsic viscosity of 2.91 dg/l and a Huggins constant of 1.05 in 1 N NaNO3 solution at 30 °C. The weight average molecular weight was determined by hydrolysis (using 0.1% by weight NaOH solution at pH 12 with a cage shaker at 400 rpm for one hour) of the resulting polymer, followed by size exclusion chromatography .

[00325] As is evident from the results shown in Table 1, the low molecular weight Polymer 2, which comprises temporary network linkage, had the ability to be mechanically processed to form a powder. This was further evidenced by the procedure which allows the use of a milling cutter to process the wet gel.

EXAMPLE 3

[00326] This example demonstrates the effect on processability into a powder exhibited by a low molecular weight polymer comprising a temporary bond through an associative monomer unit and a surfactant.

[00327] Polymer 3 comprising 94.84/5/0.12% by mole of acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ/C18PEG1105MA was synthesized as follows: A 1,000 g aqueous solution at pH 2 to 5 containing 34% by weight 94.8/5/0.12 mol% acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ/C18PEG1105MA monomeric blend (VISIOMER® monomer; 55% active; Evonik Industries, Essen, Germany), 1% by weight PLURONIC® F127 surfactant (BASF Corporation, Florham Park, New Jersey), azo initiator, chain transfer agent, buffering agent, and chelating agent were cooled to approximately -5 °C and degassed with nitrogen. Polymerization was initiated with a pair of redox agents and proceeded adiabatically until monomer conversion reached greater than 99.99% to obtain the target molecular weight of 0.5 x 106 g/mol. The resulting wet gel, which maintained a sludge-like consistency and was not sticky, was processed with the aid of 1% by weight (relative to the weight of polymeric gel) of petroleum oil-based lubricant in a milling cutter (Retsch Mill Cutter) at 1,500 rpm to form granules. The wet gel granules were dried on a mesh tray in an oven at 85 °C to decrease the moisture content to about 10% by weight and then ground to a powder that has an intrinsic viscosity of 1.96 dg/l and a Huggins constant of 1.36 in 1 N NaNO3 solution at 30 °C. The weight average molecular weight was determined by hydrolysis (using 0.1% by weight NaOH solution at pH 12 with a cage shaker at 400 rpm for one hour) of the resulting polymer, followed by size exclusion chromatography .

[00328] As is evident from the results shown in Table 1, the low molecular weight Polymer 3, which comprises temporary network linkage, had the ability to be mechanically processed to form a powder. This was further evidenced by the procedure which allows the use of a milling cutter to process the wet gel.

EXAMPLE 4

[00329] This example demonstrates the effect on the ability to be mechanically processed into a powder, exhibited by a low molecular weight polymer, which comprises a temporary bond through an associative monomer unit only (i.e., does not additionally comprise a surfactant in the monomer phase).

[00330] Polymer 4 comprising 89.965/10/0.035% by mole of acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ/C18PEG1105MA was synthesized as follows: A 1,000 g aqueous solution at pH 2 to 5 containing 37% by weight of monomer mixture of 89.965/10/0.035 mol % acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ/C18PEG1105MA (VISIOMER® monomer; 55% active; Evonik Industries, Essen, Germany), azo initiator, chain transfer agent, buffering agent, and chelating agent were cooled to approximately -5 °C and degassed with nitrogen. Polymerization was initiated with a pair of redox agents and proceeded adiabatically until monomer conversion reached greater than 99.99% to obtain the target molecular weight of 1.0 x 106 g/mol. The resulting wet gel, which maintained a sludge-like consistency and was not sticky, was marginally processed with the aid of 1% by weight (relative to the weight of polymeric gel) petroleum oil-based lubricant in a milling cutter ( Retsch Mill Cutter) at 1,500 rpm to form granules. The wet gel granules were dried on a mesh tray in an oven at 85°C to decrease the moisture content to about 10% by weight and then ground to a powder. The resulting powder had a median particle size of 568.9 microns (mean particle size was 634.4) as determined using a Horiba LA-950 Laser Dispersing Particle Size Distribution Analyzer with the setting of the index of refraction of the powder to 1.5000. The powder did not completely dissolve as a 1 wt% solution in synthetic tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour. The powder, as a 1 wt% solution in synthetic tap water, had a viscosity of 744 cps as measured on a Brookfield Viscometer Model DV-E with Spindle 62 at 30 rpm. The weight average molecular weight was determined by hydrolysis (using 0.1% by weight NaOH solution at pH 12 with a cage shaker at 400 rpm for one hour) of the resulting polymer, followed by size exclusion chromatography .

[00331] As is evident from the results shown in Table 2, the low molecular weight Polymer 4, which does not comprise a surfactant, marginally had the ability to be mechanically processed to form a powder. The resulting powder was sparingly soluble in water (i.e., it did not dissolve completely as a 1 wt% solution in local tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour). Table 2

EXAMPLE 5

[00332] This example demonstrates the effect on mechanically processability into a powder exhibited by a low molecular weight polymer comprising a temporary bond through an associative monomer unit and a surfactant.

[00333] Polymer 5 comprising 89.965/10/0.035% by mole of acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ/C18PEG1105MA was synthesized as follows: A 1,000 g aqueous solution at pH 2 to 5 containing 37% by weight of monomer mixture of 89.965/10/0.035 mole % acrylamide/DMAEA.MCQ/C18PEG1105MA (VISIOMER® monomer; 55% active; Evonik Industries, Essen, Germany), 1% by weight LutensolAT®25 surfactant, or ethoxylated C16-18 fatty alcohol (25 mol EO) (BASF Corporation, Florham Park, New Jersey), azo initiator, chain transfer agent, buffering agent and chelator was cooled to approximately -5°C and degassed with nitrogen. Polymerization was initiated with a pair of redox agents and proceeded adiabatically until monomer conversion reached greater than 99.99% to obtain the target molecular weight of 1.0 x 106 g/mol. The resulting wet gel, which maintained a sludge-like consistency and was not sticky, was processed with the aid of 1% by weight (relative to the weight of polymeric gel) of petroleum oil-based lubricant in a milling cutter (Retsch Mill Cutter) at 1,500 rpm to form granules. The wet gel granules were dried on a mesh tray in an oven at 85°C to decrease the moisture content to about 10% by weight and then ground to a powder. The resulting powder had a median particle size of 559.7 microns (mean particle size was 609.3) as determined using a Horiba LA-950 Laser Dispersing Particle Size Distribution Analyzer with the setting of the index of refraction of the powder to 1.5000. The powder completely dissolved as a 1 wt% solution in synthetic tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour. The powder polymer, as a 1 wt% solution in synthetic tap water, had a viscosity of 317 cps as measured on a Brookfield Viscometer Model DV-E with Spindle 62 at 30 rpm. by hydrolysis (using 0.1% by weight NaOH solution at pH 12 with a cage shaker at 400 rpm for one hour) of the resulting polymer, followed by size exclusion chromatography. The structure of Polymer 5 was further analyzed by 13 C NMR spectroscopy (Figure 1) to quantify the amount of piperidine-2,6-dione present in the polymer. The 13C NMR sample was prepared in deuterized water and the carbon spectrum was acquired using an Agilent Inova 500 Mhz spectrometer equipped with a Z gradient and a 10 mm broadband probe.

[00334] As is evident from the results shown in Table 2, the low molecular weight Polymer 5, which comprises a surfactant, was easily mechanically processed to form a powder. Furthermore, the resulting powder, which comprises 2.2% by weight of surfactant, was completely soluble as a 1% by weight solution in local tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour.

[00335] Furthermore, the presence of the piperidine-2,6-dione monomer unit can be verified by 13C NMR spectroscopy with a signature peak at 177 ppm in the 13C NMR spectrum (Figure 1). The relative amount of the piperidine-2,6-dione monomer unit can be quantified by integrating the peak at 177 ppm, followed by a relative comparison to the integration of other 13 C NMR signals indicative of other monomer units. Integration analysis demonstrates that Polymer 5 comprises 7.8/90/2.1 mol% DMAEA.MCQ-acrylamide-piperidine-2,6-dione. Note that the associative monomer unit is present at such low concentrations that the associative monomer unit signature peaks are not visible by13C NMR spectroscopy.

EXAMPLE 6

[00336] This example, provided as a control, demonstrates the effect on unmachineability on a powder exhibited by a low molecular weight polymer without networking through an associative monomer unit or a surfactant.

[00337] Polymer 6 (control) comprising 50/50% by mole of acrylamide/sodium acrylate was synthesized as follows: A 1,000 g aqueous solution at neutral pH containing 37% by weight of monomer mixture of 50/ 50 mole % acrylamide/sodium acrylate, azo initiator, chain transfer agent and chelator was cooled to approximately -5 °C and degassed with nitrogen. Polymerization was initiated with a pair of redox agents and proceeded adiabatically until monomer conversion reached greater than 99.99% to obtain the target molecular weight of 1.0 x 106 g/mol. The resulting wet polymeric gel was too soft and sticky to be processed with the aid of 1% by weight (relative to the weight of the polymeric gel) of petroleum oil based lubricant in a cutting milling machine (Retsch Mill Cutter) at 1,500 rpm . The resulting wet gel was manually broken into small pieces on a tray and dried in an oven at 85 °C to remove moisture and then ground to a powder with an intrinsic viscosity of 5.80 dg/L and a Huggins constant of 0 .24 in 1N NaNO3 solution at 30 °C. The weight average molecular weight was determined by size exclusion chromatography.

[00338] As is evident from the results shown in Table 3, the low molecular weight Polymer 6, without temporary network bonding through an associative monomer unit, did not have the ability to be mechanically processed to form a powder. This was further evidenced by the procedure which requires manual splitting of the soft, sticky polymer. Table 3

EXAMPLE 7

[00339] This example demonstrates the effect on mechanically processability into a powder exhibited by a low molecular weight polymer comprising a temporary bond through an associative monomer unit and a surfactant.

[00340] Polymer 7 comprising 49.9/50/0.1% acrylate by mole of acrylamide/sodium acrylate/MAPTAC-C12 derivative synthesized as follows: A 1,000 g aqueous solution at neutral pH containing 37% 49.9/50/0.1 mol% acrylamide/sodium acrylate/MAPTAC-C12 derivative monomeric blend, 0.5 wt% hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis , MO), azo initiator, chain transfer agent and chelator was cooled to approximately -5°C and degassed with nitrogen. Polymerization was initiated with a pair of redox agents and proceeded adiabatically until monomer conversion reached greater than 99.99% to obtain the target molecular weight of 1.0 x 106 g/mol. The resulting wet gel, which maintained a sludge-like consistency and was not sticky, was processed with the aid of 1% by weight (relative to the weight of polymeric gel) of petroleum oil-based lubricant in a milling cutter (Retsch Mill Cutter) at 1,500 rpm to form granules. The wet gel granules were dried on a mesh tray in an oven at 85°C to decrease the moisture content to about 10% by weight and then ground to a powder. The resulting powder had a median particle size of 357.1 microns (mean particle size was 420.1) as determined using a Horiba LA-950 Laser Dispersing Particle Size Distribution Analyzer with setting of the index of refraction of the powder to 1.5000. The powder had an intrinsic viscosity of 5.83 dg/L and a Huggins constant of 0.84 in a 1.0 N NaNO3 solution at 30 °C. The powder completely dissolved as a 1 wt% solution in synthetic tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour. The powder, as a 1 wt% solution in synthetic tap water, had a viscosity of 1976 cps as measured on a Brookfield Viscometer Model DV-E with Spindle 63 at 30 rpm. The weight average molecular weight was determined by size exclusion chromatography using the surrogate, Polymer 6.

[00341] As is evident from the results shown in Table 3, the low molecular weight Polymer 7, which comprises a surfactant, was easily mechanically processed to form a powder. Furthermore, Table 4 shows that the resulting powder, which comprises 1.3% by weight of surfactant, was completely soluble as a 1% by weight solution in local tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour.

EXAMPLE 8

[00342] This example demonstrates the effect on mechanically processability into a powder exhibited by a low molecular weight polymer comprising a temporary bond through an associative monomer unit and a surfactant.

[00343] Polymer 8 comprising 89.9/10/0.1% by mole of acrylamide/sodium acrylate/MAPTAC-C12 derivative synthesized as follows: A 1,000 g aqueous solution at neutral pH containing 33% by weight of monomeric blend of 89.9/10/0.1 mole % acrylamide/sodium acrylate/MAPTAC-C12 derivative, 0.5 wt% hexadecyltrimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO ), azo initiator, chain transfer agent and chelator was cooled to approximately -5 °C and degassed with nitrogen. Polymerization was initiated with a pair of redox agents and proceeded adiabatically until monomer conversion reached greater than 99.99% to obtain the target molecular weight of 1.0 x 106 g/mol. The resulting wet gel, which maintained a sludge-like consistency and was not sticky, was processed with the aid of 1% by weight (relative to the weight of polymeric gel) of petroleum oil-based lubricant in a milling cutter (Retsch Mill Cutter) at 1,500 rpm to form granules. The wet gel granules were dried on a mesh tray in an oven at 85°C to decrease the moisture content to about 10% by weight and then ground to a powder. The resulting powder had a median particle size of 396.2 microns (mean particle size was 463.6) as determined using a Horiba LA-950 Laser Dispersing Particle Size Distribution Analyzer with the setting of the index of refraction of the powder to 1.5000. The powder had an intrinsic viscosity of 3.49 dg/L and a Huggins constant of 2.49 in 1N NaNO3 solution at 30 °C. The powder completely dissolved as a 1 wt% solution in synthetic tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour. The powder, as a 1 wt% solution in tap water, had a viscosity of 2748 cps as measured on a Brookfield Viscometer Model DV-E with Spindle 63 at 30 rpm. The weight average molecular weight was determined by size exclusion chromatography using a substitute polymer formed with the same synthetic procedure which contains 90/10 mol% acrylamide/sodium acrylate in the absence of the MAPTAC-C12 derivative.

[00344] As is evident from the results shown in Table 3, the low molecular weight Polymer 8, which comprises a surfactant, was easily mechanically processed to form a powder. Furthermore, Table 4 shows that the resulting powder, which comprises 1.3% by weight of surfactant, was completely soluble as a 1% by weight solution in local tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour. Table 4

EXAMPLE 9

[00345] This example demonstrates the effect on the ability to be mechanically processed into a powder, exhibited by a low molecular weight polymer, which comprises a temporary bond through an associative monomer only (i.e., does not additionally comprise a surfactant in the monomer).

[00346] Polymer 9 comprising acrylate of 49.9/50/0.1% in mol of acrylamide/sodium acrylate/MAPTAC-C12 derivative synthesized as follows: A 1,000 g aqueous solution with neutral pH containing 37 % by weight monomer mixture of 49.9/50/0.1 mole % acrylamide/sodium acrylate/MAPTAC-C12 derivative, azo initiator, chain transfer agent and chelator was cooled to approximately -5 °C and degassed with nitrogen. Polymerization was initiated with a pair of redox agents and proceeded adiabatically until monomer conversion reached greater than 99.99% to obtain the target molecular weight of 1.0 x 106 g/mol. The resulting wet gel, which maintained a sludge-like consistency and was not sticky, was processed with the aid of 1% by weight (relative to the weight of polymeric gel) of petroleum oil-based lubricant in a milling cutter (Retsch Mill Cutter) at 1,500 rpm to form granules. The wet gel granules were dried on a mala tray in an oven at 85°C to remove (i.e. to reach a moisture content of about 10% by weight) moisture and then ground to a powder. The resulting powder had a median particle size of 385.4 microns (mean particle size was 446.4) as determined using a Horiba LA-950 Laser Dispersing Particle Size Distribution Analyzer with the setting of the index of refraction of the powder to 1.5000. The powder had an intrinsic viscosity of 5.84 dg/L and a Huggins constant of 0.98 in 1N NaNO3 solution at 30 °C. The powdered polymer did not completely dissolve as a 1 wt% solution in synthetic tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour. The powder, as a 1 wt% solution in synthetic tap water, had a viscosity of 1588 cps as measured on a Brookfield Viscometer Model DV-E with Spindle 63 at 30 rpm. The weight average molecular weight was determined by size exclusion chromatography using the surrogate, Polymer 6.

[00347] As is evident from the results shown in Table 4, the low molecular weight Polymer 9, which does not comprise a surfactant, had the ability to be mechanically processed to form a powder. The resulting powder was sparingly soluble in water (i.e., it did not dissolve completely as a 1 wt% solution in local tap water with agitation of the cage shaker at 400 rpm within one hour).

EXAMPLE 10

[00348] This example demonstrates the effect on paper drying strength exhibited by a sheet of paper treated with a powder comprising polymer (or polymers) associatively networked through an associative monomer unit and a surfactant.

[00349] Polymer 2 (prepared according to Example 2) and Polymer 3 (prepared according to Example 3) were dissolved in water and dosed in various concentrations into cellulose fiber slurry. The treated fibers were then added to a paper sample mold and drained through a screen to form wet fiber pads. The pads were placed on the screen, pressed and dried to produce finished paper sheets. The sheets were tested for tensile strength and compressive strength and the results are shown in Figures 2 and 3, respectively. In addition, tensile strength and compressive strength results for Nalco 64114 (ie, a glyoxylated polyacrylamide polymer), an established commercial strength agent, are provided for comparison.

[00350] As shown by Figures 2 and 3, Polymer 2 and Polymer 3 exhibit satisfactory strength properties, surpassing the standard, Nalco 64114 (ie, a glyoxylated polyacrylamide polymer) (control), both in tensile strength and in compressive strength.

EXAMPLE 11

[00351] This example demonstrates the effect on paper drying strength exhibited by a sheet of paper treated with a powder comprising polymer (or polymers) associatively networked through an associative monomer unit and a surfactant.

[00352] Polymer 1 (control, prepared according to Example 1) and Polymer 2 (prepared according to Example 2) were dissolved in water and dosed in various concentrations into a cellulose fiber slurry. The treated fibers were then added to a paper sample mold and drained through a screen to form a wet fiber pad. The pad was removed from the screen, pressed and dried to produce the finished sheet of paper. The sheet was tested for tensile strength and the results are shown in Figure 4.

[00353] As shown by Figure 4, Polymer 2 exhibited improved tensile strength over low molecular weight Polymer 1 (control), which lacked networking via an associative monomer unit.

[00354] All references, including publications, patent applications and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and be presented in its entirety in this document.

[00355] The use of the terms "a" and "a" and "the" and "at least one" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the claims below) shall be interpreted to cover both the singular as the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by the context. The use of the term "at least one" followed by a list of one or more items (for example, "at least one of A and B") shall be construed to mean a selected item of the items listed (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the items listed (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "which comprises", "which has", "which includes" and "which contains" shall be interpreted as open-ended terms (i.e. meaning "including but not limited to"), unless otherwise indicated manner. The disclosure of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of individually referring to each separate value that falls within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and each separate value is incorporated to the descriptive report as if it were individually recited in this document. All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as"), provided herein is only intended to further clarify the invention and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of the invention, unless otherwise claimed. . No language in the specification shall be construed as indicating any element not claimed to be essential to the practice of the invention.

[00356] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors to carry out the invention. Variations of these preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect those skilled in the art to employ such variations, as appropriate, and the inventors intend the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the appended claims as permitted by applicable law. Furthermore, any combination of the elements described above in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims (16)

1. Associative polymer, characterized by the fact that it has formula AP3: where E is one or more associative monomer units, F is one or more additional monomer units, G is one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I, wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and each R2 is independently H (hydrogen) or an organic group, H is one or more piperidine-2,6-dione units, wherein the one or more piperidine-2,6 -diones are formed by cyclization of an acrylamide nitrogen of the derived monomer unit of a monomer of Formula I ("G") to a carbonyl of the additional monomer unit ("F"), where the associative polymer has a molecular weight weight average from 10 kDa to 2,000 kDa, and where E" is a mole percent value from 0.005 to 10, F" is a mole percent value from 0.005 to 90, G" is a mole percent value from 10 to 99 .99, and H” is a mole percent value of trace amounts to 10. 2. Associative polymer according to claim 1, characterized in that E” is a mole percentage value from 0.005 to 1, F” is a mole percentage value from 4 to 10, G” is a mole percentage value from 84 to 90, and H” is a mole percent value from 0.001 to 10. 3. Associative polymer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that E is a non-ionic associative monomer unit derived from a monomer of Formula II: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, m, n and are independently integers from 0 to 100, where when (n + o) < 3, m is at least 7, each Y1 and Y2 are independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group. 4. Associative polymer according to claim 3, characterized in that the non-ionic monomer unit is derived from polyethoxy lauryl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy cetyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy stearyl methacrylate (25), polyethoxy methacrylate of polyethoxy(25) berenyl or a combination thereof. 5. Associative polymer according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that E is a cationic associative monomer unit or an anionic associative monomer unit. 6. Associative polymer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that F is derived from a monomer selected from 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), 2-(dimethylamino) methacrylate ) ethyl (“DMAEM”), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide (“DMAPMA”), 3-(dimethylamino)propylacrylamide (“DMAPA”), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“MAPTAC”), 3-acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride ( “APTAC”), N-vinylpyrrolidone (“NVP”), N-vinylacetamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, diallyldimethylammonium chloride (“DADMAC”), diallylamine, vinylformamide, 2-(acryloyloxy)-N,N,N chloride - trimethylethanaminium (“DMAEA.MCQ”), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride (“DMAEM.MCQ”), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate benzyl chloride (“DMAEA.BCQ”) , N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate methyl chloride ("DMAEM.BCQ"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ("AMPS"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid ("AMBS"), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof. 7. Powder comprising the associative polymer as defined in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the one or more associative polymers comprising one or more associative monomer units and one or more additional monomer units selected from at least one of a cationic monomer unit, an anionic monomer unit, a nonionic monomer unit, a zwitterionic monomer unit, or a combination thereof and, optionally, one or more surfactants, wherein the associative polymer (or associative polymers) have a weight average molecular weight of 10 kDa to 2000 kDa, wherein at least one of the one or more associative monomer units is derived from a monomer of Formula II: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, n is an integer from 0 to 100, o is an integer from 0 to 100, m is at least 5, Y1 and Y2 are each independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group. 8. Powder according to claim 7, characterized in that the one or more associative polymers comprise a cationic associative monomer unit. 9. Powder according to claim 7, characterized in that the one or more associative polymers comprise an anionic associative monomer unit. 10. Powder according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the additional monomer unit is derived from a monomer selected from a monomer of Formula I: wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and each R2 is independently H or an organic group; 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate ("DMAEA"), 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate ("DMAEM"), 3-(dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide ("DMAPMA"), 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide ("DMAPA") ”), 3-methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“MAPTAC”), 3-acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (“APTAC”), N-vinyl pyrrolidone (“NVP”), N-vinyl acetamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, diallyldimethylammonium chloride ( "DADMAC"), diallylamine, vinylformamide, 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEA.MCQ"), 2-(methacryloyloxy)-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride ("DMAEM .MCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethylacrylate benzyl chloride ("DMAEA.BCQ"), N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate benzyl chloride ("DMAEM.BCQ"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid ("AMPS"), 2-acrylamido-2-methylbutane sulfonic acid ("AMBS"), [2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]propyl]-phosphonic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid; salts thereof; and combinations thereof. 11. Powder according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the powder comprises one or more surfactants. 12. Process for preparing a powder, characterized in that it comprises forming a powder from a wet gel, in which the wet gel comprises one or more associative polymers as defined in claim 1 and, optionally, one or more surfactants , wherein the one or more associative polymers have a weight average molecular weight of 10 kDa to 2,000 kDa, and wherein at least one of the one or more associative polymers comprises the formula AP3: where E is one or more associative monomer units, F is one or more additional monomer units, G is one or more monomer units derived from a monomer of Formula I, wherein R1 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and each R2 is independently H (hydrogen) or an organic group, H is one or more piperidine-2,6-dione units, wherein the one or more piperidine-2,6 -diones are formed by cyclization of an acrylamide nitrogen of the derived monomer unit of a monomer of Formula I ("G") to a carbonyl of the additional monomer unit ("F"), and where E" is a value of mole percent from 0.005 to 10, F” is a mole percent value from 0.005 to 90, G” is a mole percent value from 10 to 99.99, and H” is a mole percent value of trace amounts to 10. 13. Process according to claim 12, characterized in that the wet gel is processed by machine to a powder. 14. Process according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that one or more associative polymers comprise one or more associative monomer units derived from an acrylate monomer, acrylamide monomer or a combination thereof. 15. Process according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the one or more associative polymers comprise a non-ionic associative monomer unit. 16. Process according to claim 15, characterized in that the non-ionic associative monomer unit is derived from a monomer of Formula II: where R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl, X is O or NH, m, n and are independently integers from 0 to 100, where when (n + o) < 3, m is at least 7, each Y1 and Y2 are independently H or C1-C4 alkyl, and R4 is H or a hydrophobic group.