Preparation and performance of starch-based cross-linked network structured dust suppression foams for complex climatic conditions

Abstract

In complex environmental applications such as rain erosion and high-low temperatures in open-pit coal mines, the curing layer after dust suppression foam treatment is relatively poorly tolerated, resulting in poor dust suppression. This study is aimed at a high-solidification strong weather-resistant cross-linked network structure. First, oxidized starch adhesive (OSTA) was prepared by the oxidative gelatinization method to reduce the effect of the high viscosity of starch on the foaming effect. Then, OSTA, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and glycerol (GLY), were copolymerized with the cross-linking agent sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP), and compounded with sodium aliphatic alcohol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate (AES) and alkyl glycosides (APG-0810), a new material for dust suppression in foam (OSPG/AA) was proposed and its wetting and bonding mechanism was revealed. The results show that OSPG/AA has a viscosity of 5.5 mPa·s, a 30-day degradation of 43.564 % and a film-forming hardness of 86HA; through simulated tests in open-pit coal mine environments, it was found that the water retention of OSPG/AA is 40.0 % higher than that of water, and the dust suppression rate of PM10 is 99.04 %. The cured layer can adapt to temperature changes from −18 °C to 60 °C and remains intact after rain erosion or 24 h immersion, exhibiting good weather resistance.