Microwave‐assisted synthesis, characterization, and application of tragacanth gum grafted copolymer as bioflocculant for the treatment of textile wastewater using coagulation‐flocculation technique: Swelling behavior and biodegradation studies

This study presents, the synthesis of microwave‐assisted biodegradable polyacrylamide grafted tragacanth gum (Tr‐g‐PAM), which was utilized as a bioflocculant to treat textile effluent and compared against the conventional flocculant. The reaction parameters for maximal grafting were optimized by varying the reaction factors. The grafting of acrylamide onto the backbone of Tragacanth gum was confirmed by FTIR, XRD, TGA, and SEM–EDX studies. Swelling studies were performed in deionized water and different salts. Tr‐g‐PAM exhibited pH and temperature‐dependent swelling behavior. Biodegradation studies of the graft copolymer were carried out by the soil composting method. Tr‐g‐PAM showed 91.54% degradation within 60 days, compared to Tragacanth, which degraded within 15 days. SEM techniques were used to describe various phases of biodegradation. Flocculation performances of the graft copolymers were evaluated in simulated colloidal wastewater. Influencing variables such as bioflocculant dosage, pH, and flocculation mixing speed were examined. The maximum decolorization at the optimum pH of 6 and 120 mg/L dosage was found to be 91.8% and 88.5% for Tr‐g‐PAM and Tragacanth. In conclusion, a biodegradable Tr‐g‐PAM with better flocculation efficiency than that of Tragacanth and other commercial flocculants would be a promising choice as an eco‐friendly adsorbent for the removal of contaminants from water resources.