Plasma-initiated polymerization of chitosan-based CS-g-P(AM-DMDAAC) flocculant for the enhanced flocculation of low-algal-turbidity water.
In this work, a highly efficient and environmentally friendly chitosan-based graft flocculant, namely, acrylamide- and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride-grafted chitosan [CS-g-P(AM-DMDAAC)], was prepared successfully through plasma initiation. FTIR results confirmed the successful polymerization of CS-g-P(AM-DMDAAC) and P(AM-DMDAAC). P(AM-DMDAAC) was the copolymer of acrylamide- and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride. SEM results revealed that a densely cross-linked network structure formed on the surface. XRD results verified that the ordered crystal structure of chitosan in CS-g-P(AM-DMDAAC) was changed into an amorphous structure after plasma-induced polymerization. The flocculation results of low-algal-turbidity water further showed the optimal flocculation efficiency of turbidity removal rate, COD removal rate, and Chl-a removal rate were 99.02%, 96.11%, and 92.20%, respectively. The flocculation efficiency of CS-g-P(AM-DMDAAC) were significantly higher than those obtained by cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) and Polymeric aluminum and iron (PAFC). This work provided a valuable basis for the design of eco-friendly naturally modified polymeric flocculants to enhance the flocculation of low-algal-turbidity water.
College of Urban Construction, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Industrial Water-Conservation & Emission Reduction, College of Environment, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China. Electronic address: sunyongjun008@163.com.
Yongjun
Y
Sun
College of Urban Construction, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China.
Chengyu
C
Zhu
College of Urban Construction, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Industrial Water-Conservation & Emission Reduction, College of Environment, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China.
Wenquan
W
Sun
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Industrial Water-Conservation & Emission Reduction, College of Environment, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China.
Yanhua
Y
Xu
College of Urban Construction, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China.
Xuefeng
X
Xiao
Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, State Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China.
Huaili
H
Zheng
College of Urban Construction, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China.
Huifang
H
Wu
College of Urban Construction, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China.
Cuiyun
C
Liu
Algal removal; Chitosan; Coagulation–flocculation; Flocculants; Plasma initiation