Preparation of cashew gum-based flocculants by microwave- and ultrasound-assisted methods

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules Vol. 107; no. Pt B; pp. 1550 - 1558
• Main Authors: Klein, Jalma Maria, de Lima, Vanessa Silva, da Feira, José Manoel Couto, Camassola, Marli, Brandalise, Rosmary Nichele, Forte, Maria Madalena de Camargo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-02-2018
• Subjects: Anacardium - chemistry; Bacteria - metabolism; Biomass; Cashew gum; Flocculation; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kaolin - chemistry; Microwave; Microwaves; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; Plant Gums - chemistry; Polymers - chemistry; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Static Electricity; Thermogravimetry; Ultrasonics - methods; Ultrasound; Viscosity; Microwave; Cashew gum; Ultrasound; Flocculation
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.09.118

In this work, copolymers based on cashew gum (CG) grafted with polyacrylamide (PAM) were synthesized by microwave- and ultrasound-assisted methods, using potassium persulfate as an initiator in aqueous medium. The graft copolymers were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The efficiency of the graft copolymers (CG-g-PAM) in flocculation of a kaolin suspension was studied. Results indicated that the graft copolymers synthesized by ultrasound energy had better flocculation properties than the ones synthesized by the microwave-assisted method. The biodegradability of the graft copolymers was tested by inoculation with the basidiomycete Trametes villosa in liquid medium. The higher formation of biomass than that observed with the commercial flocculant Flonex-9045 indicated that the graft copolymer was accessible to enzymatic attack.