Generation of New Cationic Xylan-Based Polymer in\nIndustrially Relevant Process

Abstract

Xylan\nis the main hemicellulose of hardwood species and can be\nproduced via hydrolysis commercially. In this study, xylan was polymerized\nwith [2-(methacryloyloxy)­ethyl] trimethylammonium methyl sulfate (METMS)\nin a semidry manner in an effort to valorize xylan. The reaction parameters\nwere optimized to obtain a cationic xylan with the maximum charge\ndensity of +3.81 mequiv/g and molecular weight of 83 000 g/mol.\nIt was discovered that the adsorption of xylan–METMS was more\nsignificant on kaolin (3.6 mg/g) than bentonite (0.61 mg/g) and that\nthe polymer impacted the zeta potential and relative turbidity of\nkaolin suspension more pronouncedly than that of bentonite suspension.\nThe addition of xylan–METMS to kaolin and bentonite suspensions\naccelerated the kinetics of settlement and generated sediments with\nloose structures. The success of flocculation using xylan–METMS\nin model wastewater samples describes a new reaction pathway for producing\na sustainable product as a potential flocculant for the treatment\nof industrial effluents.