Development of acrylamide polymers for the treatment of waste water
Abstract
Water-soluble acrylamide polymers were prepared by different polymerization techniques such as the use of free radical initiators, electrochemical initiation, ultrasonic waves, photochemical sensitizers, ultraviolet radiation, radiation, electron beam radiation, and an aqueous redox system. The physical and chemical properties of polyacrylamide are discussed. Acrylamide polymeric resins were prepared by γ-irradiation-initiated template polymerization of acrylic acid on acrylamide polymers. The grafting of acrylic acid on polyacrylamide produces poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid) resin. The capacity of the resins was studied under different experimental conditions by varying the radiation dose, the monomer concentration, the polymer/monomer molar ratio, and the composition of the added polymer. Acrylamide polymeric gels were prepared by copolymerization of acrylamide with acrylic acid in aqueous solution and template polymerization of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate on poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid). Acrylamide polymeric materials were used in the treatment of waste water for the removal of metallic ions from their corresponding metal salt solution. They were also used for the separation of radioactive isotopes from radioactive liquid waste. The mechanism of interaction of acrylamide polymeric materials with metallic ions in aqueous solutions is discussed.