Synthesis, characterization and comparison of PAM, cationic PDMC and P(AM-co-DMC) based on solution polymerization

High molecular weight homopolymers of acrylamide (PAM) and (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride (PDMC) and copolymer of DMC with acrylamide (P(AM-co-DMC)) were synthesized using solution polymerization technique. The synthesized polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1HNMR, 13CNMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and viscometery. 1HNMR and 13CNMR studies confirmed the structure of the synthesized polymers. The behavior of the synthesized polymers was investigated in water–acetone and water–methanol mixtures. The plot of intrinsic viscosity of either PAM or P(AM-co-DMC) with respect to acetone (methanol)/water ratio in water–acetone (methanol) demonstrated a maximum indicating a balance between acetone or methanol hydrogen bonds with water and non-solvency effect of acetone or methanol. However, the intrinsic viscosity of PDMC decreased steadily with increasing acetone (methanol)/water ratio. The jar test results with kaolin suspensions demonstrated the best clarification with PDMC as flocculant whilst the largest size of flocs obtained using PAM.