Synthesis of graft copolymer of kappa-carrageenan using microwave energy and studies of swelling capacity, flocculation properties, and preliminary acute toxicity

Grafting of acrylamide (AAm) onto kappa-carrageenan (KC) was carried out using microwave irradiation in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator. The effect of reaction variables including the concentration of APS, AAm, and KC; time duration; and microwave power was studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out to characterize the graft copolymer.