Reduction of Salinity of Water using Acrylamide-based Polyampholyte

Abstract

Polyampholytes are charged macromolecules, which carry both acidic and basic groups. These groups dissociate, leaving ions on chains and counter ions in solution, under appropriate conditions, such as in aqueous solutions. After ionization occurs, there are positively and negatively charged groups on the polymer chain. Polyampholytes are able to absorb high dosages of anions and cations adequately and would ultimately be the best alternative for the reduction of salinity in water. In this study polyampholites with different ratio of cationic groups were synthesized and tested for the removal of sulphate from solution. High cationic Polyampholytes showed great sulphate absorption capacities and could remove 100% of sulphate content. These Polyampholytes are able to function on a relatively low dosage and over a short period of time. Polyampholytes may be a good solution towards the implementation of desalination plants.