Usha Jha

Microwave assisted synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted starch (St-g-PAM) and its applicability as flocculant for water treatment.

Polyacrylamide grafted starch (St-g-PAM) was made by a novel method of synthesis, involving combination of microwave radiation and a chemical free radical initiator (ceric ammonium nitrate) to initiate grafting reaction. This method (microwave assisted synthesis) is quick, highly reliable, reproducible and yields high quality product as compared to the conventional method (which uses a chemical free radical initiator alone to initiate the grafting reaction).The St-g-PAM grades synthesized were characterized by various physicochemical techniques. Further, its application as flocculant for wastewater treatment was investigated.

Microwave initiated synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted guar gum (GG-g-PAM)—Characterizations and application as matrix for controlled release of 5-amino salicylic acid

This paper details the study of applicability of microwave initiated synthesized polyacrylamide grafted guar gum (GG-g-PAM) as matrix for controlled release of 5-amino salicylic acid (a drug used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis). In vitro release of this drug from various grades of GG-g-PAM has been studied by USP dissolution method (paddle type). The effect of percentage grafting on the rate of drug release has been investigated. The power of the microwave oven and other factors being kept constant, the percentage grafting in turn is dependent on the net time of exposure to microwave irradiation; thus a correlation can be drawn between net time of irradiation and rate of drug release (from the matrix). This holds the promise of a tailor-made matrix, with the rate of drug release being precisely programmed at the molecular level. Further, the drug release study was carried out in different pH medium, to investigate the possibility of pH triggered release for colon targeted drug delivery (where the pH is alkaline).

Novel biodegradable polymeric flocculant based on polyacrylamide-grafted tamarind kernel polysaccharide.

Novel biodegradable polymeric flocculants were produced by conventional redox grafting, microwave-initiated and microwave-assisted grafting of acrylamide to tamarind kernel polysaccharide (TKP). The graft copolymers were characterized by viscometry, elemental analysis, molecular weight determination using SLS analysis, and NMR spectroscopy. The flocculation efficiency of the grafting products in kaolin suspension, municipal sewage wastewater and textile industry wastewater was primarily dependent on the length of the grafted polyacrylamide chain. The flocculant obtained by microwave-assisted grafting method was superior to TKP and polyacrylamide-based commercial flocculant (Rishfloc 226 LV) in flocculation tests.

Guar gum as a promising starting material for diverse applications: A review

Guar gum is the powdered endosperm of the seeds of the Cyamopsis tetragonolobus which is a leguminous crop. The endosperm contains a complex polysaccharide called galactomannan, which is a polymer of d-galactose and d-mannose. This hydroxyl group rich polymer when added to water forms hydrogen bonding imparting significant viscosity and thickening to the solution. Due to its thickening, emulsifying, binding and gelling properties, quick solubility in cold water, wide pH stability, film forming ability and biodegradability, it finds applications in large number of industries. In last few decades a lot of research has been done on guar gum to fit it into particular application, as such or by its structural modifications. This review gives an overview of the nature, chemistry and properties of guar gum and discusses recent developments in its modifications and applications in major industries like hydraulic fracturing, explosives, food, agriculture, textile, paper, cosmetics, bioremediation, drug delivery, medical and pharmaceuticals. This article would help researchers engaged in biopolymer area and other end-users who want to begin research in natural polysaccharides.

Removal of Fluoride from Aqueous Solution Using Aluminum-Impregnated Chitosan Biopolymer

Abstract Aluminum impregnated chitosan (AIC) was prepared and applied as an adsorbent for the removal of fluoride from aqueous solutions. The process involved two stages: (i) isolation of chitosan from chitin, (ii) impregnation of aluminum in isolated chitosan at fixed pH. SEM and EDS techniques were used to characterize the composition of adsorbent AIC. Dynamic adsorption experiments on AIC were carried out at various pH, contact times, adsorption dosages, and initial fluoride concentration to determine optimum adsorption properties. The experimental data were analyzed using two adsorption models, Langmuir and Freundlich, with the later system providing the best fit. Thermodynamic parameters showed the adsorption process as spontaneous and endothermic. The adsorption process follows first-order kinetics for which a mechanism has been proposed. Reusability of the AIC was tested up to four consecutive cycles. The desorption experiment showed 92% elution of adsorbed fluoride at a pH of 12. Finally, the performance of the adsorbent material was studied on field water samples collected from a fluorosis endemic-region.

A novel polymeric flocculant based on polyacrylamide grafted inulin: aqueous microwave assisted synthesis.

Polyacrylamide grafted inulin (In-g-PAM) was synthesized via aqueous microwave assisted method (using ceric ammonium nitrate in synergism with microwave in aqueous medium). The intended grafting of the PAM chains on polysaccharide backbone was confirmed through standard physicochemical characterization techniques, namely intrinsic viscosity measurement, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H, N and O), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Flocculation efficacy of various grades of synthesized grafted product was studied in coal fines suspension, in relation to inulin (parent polysaccharide). This was done utilizing jar test and settling test procedure, towards possible application as a flocculant for coal washery effluents.

Cationic tamarind kernel polysaccharide (Cat TKP): a novel polymeric flocculant for the treatment of textile industry wastewater.

Synthesis of cationic tamarind kernel polysaccharide (Cat TKP), its detailed physicochemical characterization and application as an efficient flocculant for the treatment of textile industry wastewater have been investigated. N-3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) was used as a cationic reagent to introduce quaternary amine groups onto the backbone of tamarind kernel polysaccharide (TKP). Various grades were synthesized to obtain the optimized one. Effect of reaction parameters onto the degree of cationization has also been investigated. The synthesized polymers were characterized by various macromolecular characterization techniques, which confirm that cationization does take place. Afterwards, the applicability of TKP and various grades of Cat TKPs as flocculants for the treatment of textile industry wastewater was investigated. The flocculation experiments showed that TKP alone contributes little to the flocculation. However, cationic TKP led to significant improvement as flocculant for the treatment of textile industry wastewater. The best performing Cat TKP (i.e. Cat TKP 3) was thereafter compared with a commercial flocculant, which is cationic in nature. It has been observed that Cat TKP 3 surpasses the flocculation efficiency over commercial flocculant.

Carboxymethyl inulin: A novel flocculant for wastewater treatment

Carboxymethyl inulin (CMI) has been synthesized by incorporation of carboxymethyl groups in the inulin framework; by reacting inulin with sodium salt of monochloro acetic acid (SMCA) in presence of sodium hydroxide. The resulting carboxymethylated product, with different degrees of substitution, has been confirmed through various physicochemical characterization techniques, such as intrinsic viscosity measurement, elemental analysis (C, H, N and O), FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Flocculation efficacy of various grades of CMI, have been studied in kaolin suspension and then in municipal wastewater, in relation to inulin (parent polysaccharide). This has been done utilizing jar-test procedure towards possible application as a flocculant for waste water treatment.

Water quality assessment of Majhiaon block of Garwa district in Jharkhand with special focus on fluoride analysis

Fluoride in groundwater is known to contaminate the water sources globally. Jharkhand, one of the states in the eastern part of India, is known to have excessive fluoride content in groundwater sources. The present work involves assessment of water quality with special reference to fluoride in Majhiaon block of Garwa district in Jharkhand. Iron, nitrate and arsenic were also tested for the water samples collected from site. Eight hundred forty samples were tested for fluoride on site using colourimetry method, and one tenth of the samples were brought to laboratory for iron, nitrate, arsenic and fluoride analysis. Results show that 402 samples were having fluoride above permissible limit. Iron and nitrate were found to be beyond permissible limits in 302 and 286 water samples, respectively. More than 50% of samples collected from school had fluoride levels above permissible limits. Arsenic was well within the limits. However, few samples shown were excessive of iron and nitrate.

High performance polymeric flocculant based on hydrolyzed polyacrylamide grafted tamarind kernel polysaccharide (Hyd. TKP-g-PAM).

A high performance anionic flocculant was synthesized by partial alkaline hydrolysis of polyacrylamide grafted tamarind kernel polysaccharide. Various macromolecular characterizations were employed to confirm that partial alkaline hydrolysis of grafted polyacrylamide chains does take place. The flocculation characteristics of the hydrolyzed and unhydrolyzed grafted products were carried out in kaolin suspension and municipal sewage wastewater and it has been found that hydrolyzed product outperforms the unhydrolyzed grafted TKP.