Generation of New Cationic Xylan-Based Polymer in Industrially Relevant Process

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