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Fundamental Study on Novel Synthetic Polymer Systems for Fine Particles Settling

  • Author / Creator
    Lu, Han
  • In this study, Random copolymers poly(2-aminoehtyl methacrylamide hydrochloride)-st-(5-methacrylamido-1,2-benzoboroxole)-st-(N-isopropylacrylamide) and glycopolymer poly (2-lactobionamidoethylmethacrylamide) (PLAEMA) with various molecular weights were synthesized via conventional free radical polymerization method. The effect of temperature, pH, molecular weight and polymer dosage on the kaolin particle settling rate, turbidity of supernatant, mud-line position, solid volume fraction of sediment, and solid content of sediment were evaluated to determine the flocculation performance. Temperature and pH responsive polymer PAMN was considered as the most efficient flocculant as compared with poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylamide hydrochloride)-st-(N-isopropylacrylamide) and Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm). Furthermore, highly compact sediment can be achieved through increasing pH to 11 due to the cationic/anionic transfer property of PAMN. For the study of PLAEMA, large molecular weight has been proved to possess the positive effect on flocculating kaolin fine particles. The adhesive force, polymer conformation, and other property characterization were determined by several instruments, including surface forces apparatus (SFA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Strong adhesion was measured between mica surface and polymers in the case of PAMN and high molecular weight PLAEMA, resulting from benzoboroxole-hydroxyl complexation, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding and flexible polymer chains. The roughness change of polymer coated mica surface is also an evidence of polymer adsorption and aggregation, contributing to the enhanced flocculation behavior. The results in this thesis provide insight into the development of novel polymer flocculants and basic interaction mechanisms between polymer flocculants and fine particles.

  • Subjects / Keywords
  • Graduation date
    Spring 2016
  • Type of Item
    Thesis
  • Degree
    Master of Science
  • DOI
    https://doi.org/10.7939/R34746X2K
  • License
    This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.