Cassava Starch–Based Copolymer Gel with Surfactant: A Sustainable, High-Performance Solution for Environmentally Friendly Coal-Dust Suppression in Industrial Mining

Abstract

In the industrial mining environment, coal dust pollution has been a persistent issue, causing harm to both human health and the ecosystem. Starch–based polymers have emerged as promising solutions for dust suppression in mines. These polymers not only effectively control dust dispersion but also offer environmental benefits. Derived from natural sources and biodegradable, starch–based polymers align with sustainability concerns in resource extraction industries. Their ability to bond with coal dust particles improves air quality and safety for workers and communities. Sustainable practices are essential to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of coal mining despite its importance in global energy production. The thesis research focused on creating an environmentally friendly dust suppressant gel, CSS-g-AA-AEO 0.04%, to tackle the ongoing problem of coal dust pollution in mining environments. The researchers combined cassava starch with acrylic acid using graft copolymerization techniques to yield the innovative CSS-g-AA gel. Structure tests using x-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy (IR) clearly showed that the grafting process was successful, indicating that the gel was flexible and could be used for various applications. Extensive research efforts, including simulations, precise surface tension measurements, and comprehensive contact angle analyses, led to the identification of a surfactant with exceptional wetting properties, a 0.04% AEO surfactant. scanning electron microscope (SEM) and EDS analyses showed that the dust suppressant had good adhesion and adsorption effects on coal. The water retention capability exhibited an evaporation percentage of 90.94%, whereas wind erosion control achieved a lower dust suppression of 16.2%. This difference is of particular significance, especially under challenging high wind conditions. Incorporating starch solidification within the gel further bolstered its efficacy as a sustainable solution for coal dust suppression, emphasizing its potential as a game-changing approach to combating coal dust pollution while advocating for sustainable mining practices. These groundbreaking findings underscore the immense promise and viability of CSS-g-AA-AEO 0.04% as a cutting-edge, environmentally conscious strategy to mitigate coal dust pollution and promote sustainable mining practices for a cleaner and healthier environment.