A novel polymeric flocculant based on polyacrylamide grafted inulin: aqueous microwave assisted synthesis

Polyacrylamide grafted inulin (In-g-PAM) was synthesized via aqueous microwave assisted method (using ceric ammonium nitrate in synergism with microwave in aqueous medium). The intended grafting of the PAM chains on polysaccharide backbone was confirmed through standard physicochemical characterization techniques, namely intrinsic viscosity measurement, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N and O), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Flocculation efficacy of various grades of synthesized grafted product was studied in coal fines suspension, in relation to inulin (parent polysaccharide). This was done utilizing jar test and settling test procedure, towards possible application as a flocculant for coal washery effluents.