Synthesis and flocculation properties of star-shaped cationic polyacrylamide

Abstract

Star-shaped cationic polyacrylamide was synthesized using free-radical polymerization of acrylamide and acryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (DAC). The co-polymerization of acrylamide and acryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride was conducted using pentaerythritol as a core and ammonium persulfate and sodium sulfite as the reduction oxidation initiation system. The effect of initiator dosages, monomer concentration, reaction temperature and the mass ratio of acryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride to acrylamide on polymerization were evaluated. Polymer product was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Flocculating properties were evaluated using the rates of chemical oxygen demand removal from sewage in standard jar tests. The polymer product functioned as a novel cationic flocculant in water and wastewater treatment.