Synthesis, characterization and application of polyacrylamide grafted bioflocculant

Publication date: Available online 22 November 2019Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/CAuthor(s): S.S. Ngema, A.K. Basson, T.S. MalieheAbstractWater pollution contributes to water scarcity by decreasing the amount of available freshwater. Grafted bioflocculants tend to have excellent wastewater remediation capabilities. The aim of this research was to synthesize, characterize and apply polyacrylamide grafted bioflocculant to wastewater treatment. Bioflocculant (TMT−1) produced by Bacillus pumilus JX860616 was grafted with acrylamide chains using a microwave initiated method. To optimize the synthesis, irradiation time and acrylamide concentration were varied. Optimum grade (TMT−1-g-PAM 2) was characterized by intrinsic viscosity, elemental analysis, SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD and TGA. TMT−1-g-PAM 2's biosafety – on human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells – was assessed by MTT assay. Its biodegradation was investigated by a composting method. The effects of dosage size, cations (BaCl2, KCl, NaCl, LiCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 and FeCl3), pH and temperature on the flocculating activities of the flocculant were evaluated, spectrophotometrically. The flocculation mechanism was determined by measuring zeta potentials using Zetasizer Nano. Optimum grade (TMT−1-g-PAM 2) was obtained when a concentration of 2.5 g of acrylamide was used for grafting on TMT−1 at irradiation time of 3 min. Changes observed in intrinsic viscosity, elemental analysis, SEM, FTIR...
Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - Category: Science Source Type: research