Synthesis and characterization of hydrophobically associating cationic polyacrylamide

P(AM-DMDAAC-BA), one kind of hydrophobically associating cationic polyacrylamide, was synthesized with acrylamide (AM), dimethyldiallyammonium chloride (DMDAAC) and butylacrylate (BA) by the micellar free radical copolymerization technique. The copolymer was characterized by means of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Hydrogen Spectroscopy (1H NMR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The effect of flocculant dosage on oil removal efficiency and synergistic effect of the copolymer with other reagents were studied with respect to oily wastewater treatment. 1H NMR results proved the formation of the hydrophobically associating cationic copolymers. TEM showed that adsorption bridging property of P(AM-DMDAAC-BA) was significantly enhanced along with the increase of hydrophobic group content in the copolymer. TGA results indicated that the copolymer has favorable thermal stability. It was found that the oil removal efficiency of P(AM-DMDAAC-BA) could reach 93.4% at dosage of 50 mg/L. P(AM-DMDAAC-BA) had good synergistic effect with soluble starch and Al2(SO4)3. The oil removal efficiency could be improved if Al2(SO4)3 was added prior to P(AM-DMDAAC-BA).