The inhibition abilities of multifunctional polyelectrolytes for silica scale formation in cooling water systems: Role of the nonionic functional group

► The inhibition ability for silica scales was investigated based on the effect of aluminum. ► Polyelectrolytes with acrylic acid, sulfonic acid and nonionic monomers were examined. ► In order to clarify the quantitative factors affecting inhibition ability, regression analysis were applied. ► The effective inhibitors tend to disperse aluminum hydroxide and interact Si(OH)3O−.