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A novel chelating flocculant with branched architectures, polyacrylamide grafted maleoyl chitosan-mercaptoacetic acid (PAM-g-M(CS-MA)), was successfully fabricated using maleic anhydride as the "bridge" between chitosan and polyacrylamide. The functional groups and structural characteristic information of copolymers were obtained via characterization analysis. Flocculation performance was systematically investigated via purifying a series of simulated wastewater containing Cu or Cd. The properties of the flocs were studied to give in-depth evidences for the role of chelation groups and branched architectures in flocculation. Results indicated that PAM-g-M(CS-MA) showed excellent flocculation capacity for heavy metals in high concentrations and was superior to other chelating flocculants. The maximum flocculation efficiency of Cu (93.90%) and Cd (92.47%) was achieved by PAM-g-M(CS-MA) at pH 7, dosage of 100 mg L−1 and stirring speed of 90 rpm. The flocculation mechanisms of PAM-g-M(CS-MA) were deeply explored through the analyses of floc properties. The strong synergistic chelation of mercapto, carboxyl, amide and hydroxyl groups predominated for the capturing of heavy metals; and the branched architectures facilitated the formation of large and stable flocs via adsorption and bridging-furl effect. This study provided a solid foundation for the fabrication of flocculants for heavy metal wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] • A flocculant with branch architectures (PAM-g-M(CS-MA)) was synthesized. • PAM-g-M(CS-MA) showed low-dosage and efficient in heavy metals removal. • The maximum removal rates of Cu (93.90%) and Cd (92.47%) can be achieved by PAM-g-M(CS-MA). • Relationship between the branch architectures and flocculation performance was built. • Flocculation mechanism is composed by synergistic chelation, adsorption and bridging-furl effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fine molecular structure of a flocculant fundamentally determines the internal flocculation mechanism and the final application property. In this work, three series of chitosan-based polymers (CTS-g-PAMD) with divergent charge densities and graft chain distribution were synthesized by graft copolymerization using acrylamide (AM) and acryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride (DAC). Meanwhile, flocculant with linear chain structure (CTS-CTA) was prepared by etherification using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTA). The characterization results confirmed that various monomers had been successfully introduced into chitosan. The reaction basically happened on —NH 2 at C 2 of chitosan, and the ring structure of chitosan was destroyed by free radical reaction. The obtained flocculants were used to flocculate bentonite and humic acid solution. Besides dose, the effects of chain structure, charge density and chain distribution on flocculation performance were systematically studied. Based on the fractal theory and flocculation kinetics, the effects of structural factors on floc characteristics were also investigated. The results showed that, flocculant with abundant graft chains exerts better flocculation performance and floc characteristic due to enhanced adsorption electrical neutralization and adsorption bridging effect. The effects of charge density and chain distribution on the flocculation performance were disparate in the range of insufficient and excessive doses. Furthermore, on the basis of the quadratic polynomial model, quantitative structure-effect relationships were established, which has guiding significance for the development and utilization of flocculants. Image 1 • Four chitosan-based flocculants with distinct molecular structures were prepared. • The cyclic structure of chitosan was destroyed by graft copolymerization. • Flocculants with "comb" branches exhibited better flocculation performance. • Chain distribution contributed differently under overdose and underdose. • The quantitative structure-activity relationships were established through model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan-based flocculants are efficient and biodegradable, possessing the potential application in water treatment. A chitosan-based flocculant, CTS-g-PAM, was prepared via grafting copolymerization. Two main structures of CTS-g-PAM were detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and they related to the different performances of CTS-g-PAM in the treatment of model azo dyeing wastewater in terms of removal efficiency, floc size and zeta potential. CTS-g-PAM with the optimal ratio of C N to –NH– owned the best performance. C N reinforced the interaction between CTS-g-PAM and azo dyes and charge neutralization while the flocs formed in the case were large and compacted. However, excessive C N accelerated itself hydrolysis and leaded to the decomposition of CTS-g-PAM, deteriorating the performance of the flocculant. Image 1 • Two different structures of CTS-g-PAM were discovered via XPS. • The ratio of two structures was different in various synthesis conditions. • The moderate C N in CTS-g-PAM contributed to its better performance in the treatment. • C N reinforced the interaction between CTS-g-PAM and azo dyes. • Excessive C N accelerated itself hydrolysis and decomposition of CTS-g-PAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]