Ceric ion initiated synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted oatmeal: Its application as flocculant for wastewater treatment

Polyacrylamide grafted oatmeal (OAT-g-PAM) was synthesized by conventional method. The grafting of the PAM chains on the biomaterial backbone was confirmed through intrinsic viscosity study, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N, S and O), SEM morphology and TGA study. The intrinsic viscosity of oatmeal appreciably improved on grafting of PAM chains, thus resulting grafted product with potential application as superior viscosifier. Further, flocculation efficacy of the graft copolymer was studied in coal fine suspension, kaolin suspension, iron-ore suspension and then in municipal wastewater through ‘jar test’ procedure.