Using polyether as the medium for the polymerization reaction of unsaturated monomers allows for simultaneous polymerization of the main chain and introduction of side chains. The process is simple, and the molecular weight of the synthesized admixture can be controlled to some extent. However, the esterification reaction involved is reversible, and its performance in aqueous solution leads to a relatively low grafting rate, which has gradually been phased out [E14].

This method primarily involves synthesizing the main chain of the superplasticizer first, and then introducing side chains through other methods for functionalization. The operation of this method is quite challenging due to the inflexible molecular structure of the superplasticizer and poor compatibility between monomers, which significantly limits its application [E15].

This method involves first preparing active macromonomers, followed by a copolymerization reaction of the small and macromonomers in an aqueous solution, initiated by a catalyst. As the synthesis technology for macromonomers becomes increasingly mature and diverse, this method has become the commonly used approach for the synthesis of polycarboxylate superplasticizers at the current stage.