Microwave assisted synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted gum ghatti and its application as flocculant

Polyacrylamide chains (PAM) were grafted onto the backbone of gum ghatti by microwave assisted method. The grafting of the PAM chains on the polysaccharide backbone was confirmed through intrinsic viscosity study, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H & N) and SEM morphology study. The intrinsic viscosity of gum ghatti appreciably improved on grafting of PAM chains, thus resulting grafted product with potential application as superior viscosifier. Further, flocculation efficacy of the graft copolymer was studied initially in kaolin suspension and then in municipal wastewater through 'Jar test' procedure, toward possible application as flocculant for wastewater treatment. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.