Microwave based synthesis of polymethyl methacrylate grafted sodium alginate: its application as flocculant.

Polymethyl methacrylate grafted sodium alginate (SAG-g-PMMA) was synthesized by microwave assisted method. The grafting of the PMMA chains on the polysaccharide backbone was confirmed through intrinsic viscosity study, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N, O and Na), SEM and TGA study. The intrinsic viscosity of sodium alginate appreciably improved on grafting of PMMA chains, thus resulting grafted product with potential application as superior viscosifier. Further, flocculation efficacy of the graft copolymer was studied in coal fine suspension through jar test procedure, toward possible application as flocculant.