Dual functionality of a graft starch flocculant: Flocculation and antibacterial performance

In this work, a series of quaternary ammonium salt grafted starch flocculant, starch-graft-poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride (St-g-PDMC), with different grafting ratios was prepared by a simple method. Various characterization techniques were employed to investigate the structure and charge property of the starch-based flocculants. The efficiencies of St-g-PDMC for flocculation of kaolin and Escherichia coli suspensions as well as their mixtures were systematically examined in laboratory scale. In addition to environmental factors, such as flocculant dose and pH, the effects of grafting ratio were also evaluated. Results indicated that St-g-PDMCs exhibited dual functionality of high flocculation effects and antibacterial properties. Moreover, the flocculation and antibacterial mechanisms were investigated in detail based on apparent flocculation performance, charge properties, floc structures (floc size and its two-dimensional fractal dimension), and cell surface morphology, respectively.