Graft copolymerization of 2-Acrylamidoglycolic acid on to xanthan gum and study of its physicochemical properties

Graft copolymer of xanthan gum and 2-Acrylamidoglycolic acid has been synthesized by free radical polymerization using bromate/thiourea redox pair in an inert atmosphere. The grafting parameters, i.e. grafting ratio, add on and efficiency decrease with increase in concentration of xanthan gum from 1.0 g dm−3 and hydrogen ion from 5 × 10−3 mol dm−3, but these grafting parameters increase with increase in concentration of 2-Acrylamidoglycolic acid from 2.6 × 10−2 to 8.0 × 10−2 mol dm−3, and bromate 6 × 10−3 to 14 × 10−3 mol dm−3. Water swelling capacity, metal ion sorption, flocculation studies and resistance to biodegradation of synthesized graft copolymer has been performed with respect to the parent polymer. The graft copolymer has been characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis.