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Soil fugitive dust pollution caused by urban construction sites is a significant problem. To improve the dust suppression efficiency on the urban construction sites, hydroxypropyl guar (HPG), dodecyl dimethyl amine oxide (OB-2), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were selected as individual components of the composite dust suppressant using a single-factor test. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimal mixing proportions. After preparation, the characteristics of the composite dust suppressant were tested. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the composite dust suppressant and explore its mechanism. The results showed that 0.327% HPG, 0.6% OB-2, and 0.5% HPMC were the best compound concentrations. Under optimum conditions, the viscosity of the composite dust suppressant was 151.1 [Formula: see text], penetration time was 61.4 s, and water retention rate was 30.67%. Compared with traditional dust control by spraying water, it showed better resistance to evaporation at high temperatures and better wind erosion resistance. The antievaporation rate was 39.42% at 60 °C. After 11 d of continuous wind erosion at level 7, the wind erosion resistance rate was as high as 98.24%. The reason for the excellent dust suppression effect of the composite dust suppressant is that the methyl and hydroxyl groups in the solution diffuse to the surface of the soil fugitive dust particles using Brownian motion and gradually approach the corresponding groups in the soil fugitive dust particles. When the distance between the two reaches 10 [Formula: see text], adsorption occurs, causing small dust particles to stick together. Because of the stability of the covalent bonds in the methyl and hydroxyl groups, a stable solidified layer is formed on the soil fugitive dust surface after the evaporation of the composite dust inhibitor solution, thereby avoiding secondary dust. In addition, the composite dust suppressant is noncorrosive and friendly to the construction site environment. Therefore, the composite dust suppressant can effectively reduce soil fugitive dust, alleviate environmental pollution, and provide a reference for preventing and controlling soil fugitive dust on urban construction sites and preparing composite environment-friendly dust suppressants., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

[Display omitted] • The mechanism of polymer on soil fugitive dust surface was studied at molecular level. • The bonding effect is mainly due to van der Waals force. • HPG has the lowest adsorption energy and the best bonding effect. Polymers with good adhesion properties are typically used as soil fugitive dust suppressants in infrastructure construction. This study investigates the dust suppression effect of hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG), polyacrylamide (PAM), and starch (STA), as well as analyses their bonding mechanism on soil fugitive dust surface via laboratory experiments and molecular simulations. Laboratory test results indicate that the viscosity of HPG solution is the highest. At a mass concentration of 0.35 %, the maximum viscosity recorded is 288.5 m P a ∙ s , which is 44.8 and 264.08 m P a ∙ s higher than those of PAM and STA solutions, respectively. The wind-erosion resistance rate of soil fugitive dust samples treated with HPG is 98.63 %, which is 2.66 %, 3.51 %, and 30.43 % higher than those of PAM, STA, and water, respectively. The water-erosion rate of soil fugitive dust samples treated with HPG is only 2.06 %, which is 0.52 %, 1.05 %, and 12.11 % lower than those of PAM, STA, and water, respectively. HPG exhibits excellent cohesiveness and effectively inhibits the generation of soil fugitive dust. Molecular simulation results show that the adsorption energy of HPG is 4.8 %–48.3 % and 3.2 %–54.8 % lower than those of PAM and STA, respectively, thus indicating the higher adsorption capacity of HPG. The distribution of HPG on the surface of soil fugitive dust components is the most concentrated. The self-diffusion coefficient of HPG is 0.3–6.7 and 1.2–12.4 times lower than those of PAM and STA, respectively; therefore, the structures of the HPG/soil fugitive dust component simulation systems are more stable. The radial distribution function shows that the van der Waals force is the primary force affecting the molecular dynamics behaviour, which signifies physical adsorption. The binding mechanism of polymers on the surface of soil fugitive dust is that the polymer approaches the surface of soil fugitive dust through van der Waals forces and eventually adsorbs onto the surface of soil fugitive dust to bond with it. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the development of more effective soil fugitive dust suppressants for infrastructure construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the soil fugitive dust pollution at the infrastructure construction site, a new environment friendly dust suppressant was prepared with carboxymethyl guar gum (CMGG) as the core raw material. The optimal formulation of the dust suppressant was determined using single factor experiments and RSM (Response surface method). The performance test results showed that the water erosion rate of the soil dust was <5%, and wind erosion rate reached 97.51%. The water retention rate of dust suppressant reached 31.33%. The dust suppressant contained substantial oxygen-containing functional groups (-OH, -COOH). The -COOH and -OH contained in the soil were interactively attracted with -OH and -COOH in dust suppressant to form hydrogen bonds, resulting in interfacial between dust suppressant and soil dust surface. The dust suppressant-soil dust adhesion system is formed, thereby inhibiting the spread of soil dust. [Display omitted] • Carboxymethyl guar gum is used for soil dust control. • Carboxymethyl guar gum could optimize dust suppression performance and efficiency. • OH and -COOH play a major role in dust suppressant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]