Synthesis, characterization and application of water‐soluble star polymers based on 2,4,6‐tris‐hydroxymethyl phenol and polyacrylamide

Abstract

The synthesis of star polymers based on 2,4,6‐tris‐hydroxymethyl phenol ( THP ) and polyacrylamide ( PAM ) was carried out by free radical polymerization using potassium persulfate as an initiator. THP was prepared from phenol and formaldehyde by the Lederer−Manasse reaction. Varying the amount of acrylamide monomer, five different grades of star polymer were synthesized ( THP‐PAM1 to THP‐PAM5 ). The star polymers were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, viscosity measurements, scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffractometry. The flocculation performance of the star polymers was studied in kaolin suspension using the jar test and settling test methods. The flocculation efficiency of the star polymers was compared with commercially available flocculants and linear PAM . Several dye removal tests using methylene blue and various commercial textile acid dyes were performed. UV −visible spectra were employed to determine the reduced presence of dyes in the kaolin suspensions after treatment with star polymers. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry