Synthesis of a new flocculant based on poly(acrylamide-co-(N-octyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide)) [AM5/VP5C8Br]-application for the turbidity removal from clay suspension

Abstract

The interactions between poly(acrylamide-co-(N-octyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide)) [AM5/VP5C8Br] cationic polyelectrolyte, and clay particles in dilute aqueous suspensions are studied in the aim of adsorption and flocculation. The extents of both phenomena are significantly influenced by the ionic strength of the medium. The adsorption of the clay particles on the copolymer chains occurs initially by the hydrophobic interaction. As flocculation mechanisms, the hydrophobic interaction between copolymer chains and the clay particles appears to be principal. In this work, we have prepared a copolymer which has been characterized by conductivity, viscosity, 1H NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopies. The copolymer dosage and pH are two of the most important experimental parameters in the coagulation/flocculation operations used for study and optimization of the wastewater treatment operations. Under optimized conditions, 97% efficiency of the turbidity elimination, with a very low flocculant concentration of 3 ppm have been achieved in order to produce drinking water with standard limits around the world (< 1 NTU). The conclusion drawn on the basis of these results is that wastewater treatment using this new copolymer [AM5/VP5C8Br] has proved to be a good flocculant in overseeing of wastewater turbidity problems.