Synthesis, characterization and application of acryloyl chitosan anchored copolymer towards algae flocculation

• Synthesis of acryloyl modified chitosan for improved solubility and flocculation.
• Hierarchical structures demonstrating the new anchored copolymer.
• Synthesis and characterization of novel flocculant PMACPPC, P(DMC-MACPPC) and AC-g-P(DMC-MACPPC).
• Application of the polymers in C-vulgaris micro algae removal.
• Improved flocculating ability of AC-g-P(DMC-MACPPC) towards harvesting of C. vulgaris.
• Flocs which formed could be converted to biomass.

A novel water soluble flocculant AC-g-P(DMC-MACPPC) was synthesized by free radical polymerization of [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (DMC) and 4-methacryloyl 1-cyclopentyl piperazinium chloride (MACPPC), grafted on to acryloyl chitosan (AC). The grafting of copolymer was confirmed by DRS-UV, FTIR, NMR, Raman, XRD and XPS spectral techniques. The AC-g-P(DMC-MACPPC) exhibits higher flocculation efficiency towards harvesting of C. vulgaris micro algae, when compared to that of copolymer P(DMC-MACPPC) and homo polymer PMACPPC. The higher efficiency exhibited by the grafted copolymer can be attributed to the increase in positive charge and molecular weight after grafting on to acryloyl chitosan. The grafted copolymer AC-g-P(DMC-MACPPC) is very easy to synthesize, economical and water soluble which makes it a promising flocculant in the algae harvesting process.

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