Characterization of cationic dextrin prepared by ultra high pressure (UHP)-assisted cationization reaction

Cationic dextrins were prepared through substitution reaction of dextrin with low and high addition levels of 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (ETMAC), respectively. Conventional cationization reactions were carried out for 5 h under continued stirring. UHP-assisted cationization reactions were conducted at three pressurization levels of 100, 300 and 500 MPa for a pressure holding time of 30 min. Degree of substitution (DS) of UHP-assisted cationic dextrins ranged from 0.58 to 1.51, and in general, their DS values were enhanced with increasing pressure levels. FT-IR and 13C NMR spectra indicated the presence of CN bond, which provided clear evidence about incorporation of cationic moieties onto dextrin molecules. In flocculation test, UHP-assisted cationic dextrin revealed higher flocculating activity. Overall results suggested that UHP-assisted cationization reaction could modulate reactivity and flocculating activity of dextrin by controlling pressure levels and reaction mixture compositions, and cationic dextrins likely possessed a higher potential to replace synthetic polymer-based flocculants.