Graft copolymerization of acrylic acid onto gelatinized patato starch for removal of metal ions and organic dyes from aqueous system

Abstract

The graft copolymerization of acrylic acid onto gelatinized potato starch has been carried out at 70 °C using chromic acid as an initiator. The different reaction parameters such as reaction temperature, initiator and monomer concentrations were optimized to get the maximum percentage grafting. The maximum grafting (93.54%) was observed at 60 °C, 0.57 molL-1 of acrylic acid and 0.03 mmolL-1 of chromic acid. The grafted samples were evaluated for other physico-chemical properties such as swelling behavior, moisture absorption and chemical resistance. The grafted samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The graft copolymers have been successfully used for the removal of metal ions and organic dyes from aqueous system. © 2012 VBRI Press.