Microwave initiated synthesis and application of polyacrylic acid grafted carboxymethyl cellulose

An environmentally benign and efficient route of synthesis of polyacrylic acid grafted carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-g-PAA) is developed using microwave radiation alone to initiate the grafting reaction. The synthesis is optimized in terms of percentage grafting and intrinsic viscosity, by varying the microwave irradiation time and monomer (acrylic acid) concentration. The grafted product has been characterized by various physicochemical characterization techniques (intrinsic viscosity measurement, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM morphology study and elemental analysis). FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that free radicals are formed on polysaccharide backbone by cleavage of 1°–OH bond, indicating microwave effect and not thermal decomposition as the cause of free radical generation. The application of the grafted product as flocculant for river water clarification, towards augmentation of drinking water supply has been investigated.