Removal of Tannic Acid by Chitosan and N-Hydroxypropyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride Chitosan: Flocculation Mechanism and Performance

Abstract

The cationic organic flocculant chitosan and its derivative, N-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HTCC), were used in the flocculation of tannic acid, the impurity widespread in Chinese medicine water extractions. This study aimed at investigating the flocculation performance and mechanism of chitosan and HTCC on the tannic acid colloidal particles. The results showed that chitosan and HTCC effectively flocculated the tannic acid solution and the mechanism was mainly for the adsorption bridging and charge neutralization by hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction, and hydrophobic interaction. Meanwhile, the charge neutralization of HTCC was stronger than that of chitosan. The optimal flocculation conditions of chitosan and HTCC on tannic acid were achieved.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Chitosan
• flocculation
• HTCC
• tannic acid