Modified corn-core powder for enhancing sludge dewaterability:Synthesis, characterization and sludge dewatering performance

The high water content of sludge has always posed significant challenges for its treatment. Synthetic flocculants, which are widely used in sewage treatment plants, can cause secondary pollution during their production and use. Thus, natural polymer flocculants made of natural materials have received increased research attention recently. Corn-core, an agricultural waste, was modified through alkalization with sodium hydroxide(NaOH) and etherification with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide(CTMAB) in this study. The L16(4~5) orthogonal array was used to study the modification conditions. The moisture content(MC) of treated sludge was reduced by approximately 37% with the addition of modified corn-core powder(MCCP), which was synthesized under optimal conditions. In addition, changes in the functional groups of the material before and after modification were determined by FT-IR. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that MCCP was steady at room temperature, moreover, BET analysis showed that MCCP had greater surface area. The microstructures of material before and after modification were examined by scanning electron microscopy, revealing that MCCP had a flake-shaped structure and had an increased area of contact area with sludge particles. MCCP is a dehydrating agent that can enhance sludge dewaterability through charge neutralization and re-agglomeration and provide superior economic benefits.