Microwave assisted synthesis of poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) grafted agar (Ag-g-P(HEMA)) and its application as a flocculant for wastewater treatment

Abstract

Poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) chains were grafted onto the backbone of agar using a microwave assisted method involving a combination of microwave irradiation and ceric ammonium nitrate to initiate the grafting reaction. The synthesized graft copolymers were characterized by intrinsic viscosity measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N, O and S) and scanning electron microscopy. Ag-g-P(HEMA)-2 showed a much higher flocculation efficacy than agar. The optimized dosage of flocculation for Ag-g-P(HEMA)-2 in the wastewater was found to be 0.75 ppm. Compared to agar, Ag-g-P(HEMA)-2 was found to considerably reduce the pollutant load in the wastewater.

Key words： agar; flocculant; microwave assisted synthesis; jar test protocol; poly(HEMA) grafted agar; wastewater treatment

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support received from University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India vide Grant No. F-39-800/2010(SR)).

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