Destabilization of Multi-walled carbon nanotubes suspension using novel functionalized biomaterial synthesized via microwave irradiations

Abstract

Flocculants are one of the most essential tools in the hand of an environmental engineer or mineral processing technologist. However, most of the flocculants available in the market are polyacrylamide based. This always poses the threat of acrylamide release during the degradation process and also the chances of occluded acrylamide during synthesis. Acrylamide is a powerful neurotoxin and a teratogen. Our work endeavors to develop next-generation safer flocculants that are acrylamide free and hence are safer alternatives. Guar gum, an industrial crop native to the Indian subcontinent was grafted with monomer Diallyl Dimethyl Ammonium chloride (DADMAC) by microwave-assisted technique. This novel grafted product was characterized via standard physico-chemical techniques. The flocculation efficacy of the grafted biomaterial was studied through standard jar test and settling test procedures in standard kaolin and coal fine suspensions. Once superior flocculation properties of the grafted product were ascertained, it was studied as a flocculant for the destabilization of Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) from its suspension. This study endeavors the synthesis of a value-added product of guar gum with established efficacy towards nanoparticle destabilization properties.