Gamma radiation-induced grafting of a cationic monomer onto chitosan as a flocculant.

Grafting of (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride onto chitosan through gamma-radiation in acidic aqueous solutions was achieved for production of a novel flocculant. The grafted copolymer was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of reaction parameters, such as total absorbed dose, dose rate, monomer concentration and temperature, on grafting percentage were investigated. The flocculation capacities of the grafted copolymer were evaluated with 0.25% (w/v) kaolin suspensions using the standard jar test. The results demonstrate the superiority of the grafted copolymer over chitosan as a flocculant.