Synthesis of highly cationic water-soluble cellulose derivative and its potential as novel biopolymeric flocculation agent

A water-soluble cationic cellulose derivative was synthesized by cationizing dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) produced by periodate oxidation of birch cellulose pulp by means of a reaction between aldehyde groups and cationic Girard's reagent T ((2-hydrazinyl-2-oxoethyl)-trimethylazanium chloride, GT) to produce cationic dialdehyde cellulose (CDAC). The effect of the aldehyde content of the DAC on its reactivity was evaluated and CDAC with a maximum of 4.27 mmol/g of cationic groups was synthesized from highly oxidized cellulose. Water-soluble CDACs were obtained from DACs having an aldehyde group content of 11.77 mmol/g or higher when the cationic group content exceeded about 3 mmol/g. Promising preliminary results were obtained regarding the use of water-soluble CDAC as a new biopolymeric flocculation agent for calcium carbonate suspension.