The synthesis and use of α-cellulose and cationic cellulose from Boehmeria nivea as bio-flocculants in flocculation of kaolin suspension

Abstract

The synthesis and modification of α-cellulose from Boehmeria nivea into a cationic bioflocculant was performed. In the first stage of research, α-cellulose was isolated from the bast fiber of Boehmeria nivea. Second, the modification of α-cellulose into cationic cellulose was carried out by reaction using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-trimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC). α-cellulose and cationic cellulose were tested as bioflocculants for their flocculation ability with synthetic water samples using 5 g/L of kaolin suspension with turbidity as the test parameter. Data analysis was performed by statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test. Studies showed that the use of α-cellulose as a bioflocculant in the coagulation-flocculation process with polyaluminum chloride (PAC) as a coagulant statistically increased the efficiency of turbidity removal, up to 99.17%, whereas the direct flocculation process, i.e., without the use of coagulant, had a turbidity removal efficiency of 98.91% with 60 minutes of sedimentation time. The use of cationic cellulose showed promising results as a bioflocculant in the direct flocculation process compared to PAC, with a shorter sedimentation time.

Boehmeria nivea var. strigosa (Urticaceae), a new variety from southwest China

“…1) (Wang & Chen 1995, Chen et al 2003). Ramie has significant economic value due mainly to the properties of the fibers it produces (Roy andLutfar 2012, Wang et al 2019) and possible future uses in the biomedical and phytochemistry industry (Leeet al 2009, Kandimalla et al 2016, Chew et al2022, Choi et al 2022, Fauzani et al 2022. B. nivea was first described by Gaudichaud-Beaupré (1830), and two varieties are currently recognised: B. nivea var.…”