Characterisation of carboxymethyl cellulose and polyacrylamide graft copolymer

The synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-g-polyacrylamide was carried out by a ceric ion induced solution polymerization technique. By varying the amount of catalyst and monomer, six different grades of graft copolymers were synthesized. These graft copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, rheological studies, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, viscosity measurement and X-ray diffractometry. They exhibit distinguished flocculation characteristics in various suspensions and effluents. Their flocculation and viscosifying characteristics are drastically enhanced on their hydrolysis. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.