Ceric ion initiated synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted oatmeal: Its application as flocculant for wastewater treatment

Polyacrylamide grafted oatmeal (OAT-g-PAM) was synthesized by conventional method. The grafting of the PAM chains on the biomaterial backbone was confirmed through intrinsic viscosity study, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N, S and O), SEM morphology and TGA study. The intrinsic viscosity of oatmeal 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 in coal fine suspension, kaolin suspension, iron-ore suspension and then in municipal wastewater through ‘jar test’ procedure.

► OAT-g-PAM was synthesized by ‘ceric ion induced (conventional) method’. ► FTIR spectroscopy provided experimental proof of the proposed mechanism of synthesis. ► Synthesized grades were studied for efficacy as flocculant for waste water treatment. ► OAT-g-PAM showed higher flocculation efficacy than oatmeal. ► Higher the percentage grafting of OAT-g-PAM, higher is the intrinsic viscosity, higher is its flocculation efficacy.