ИСТИНА

The study of new polymeric materials – interpolymer complexes (IPC) was launched at the Lomonosov Moscow State University under the leadership of V.A. Kargin and V.A. Kabanov in the 1960s. Alexander B. Zezin and Ivan M. Papisov actually were the founders of the modern science dealing with the synthesis and the properties of special type of IPC – interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPEC). One of their common “hobbies” was the study of the IPEC’s abilities as binders for a variety of disperse materials. The attractiveness of IPEC as the binders is due to several factors:  IPEC structure includes, in addition to the hydrophobic double-stranded fragments (actually a complex of polycation and polyanion), and hydrophilic positively and negatively charged free fragments (loops and the tails of the chains) of macromolecular components. This structure provides the universality of the binders on the basis of IPEC.  Hydrophilic – hydrophobic properties of IPEC can be easily varied with the variation in the structure and ratio of its macromolecular components.  Insoluble binder may be obtained from dilute solutions of nontoxic molecular components directly in the dispersion. This ensures their high efficiency, cost-effectiveness and simple technology of use. The most successfully these binders were used to protect the soil and other dispersed materials from water and wind erosion. The binders on the basis of IPEC were found to protect effectively the soil against wind and water erosion. They promote long-term conservation of bed soil structure maintaining practically unchanged the water permeability and breathability of the soil surface. Mechanically damaged surface of the soil treated with IPEC is capable of self-healing after wetting. Hydrophilic binder provides a greenhouse effect that contributes to the rapid seed germination and accelerated plant development, especially in the spring. Because of these qualities impressive results have been achieved in the agricultural sector, in the strengthening of slopes of roads, channels, dusty surfaces of industrial waste, and others. The reagent based on the IPEC has been successfully used in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant area for dust suppression in order to prevent the spread of radionuclides.