On the basis of the experimental methods of flocculated decolorization and equilibrium dialysis,
the effect of dye structure on the interaction between organic flocculant PAN-DCD and dye has
been explored. It was found that, under acidic conditions, PAN-DCD is effective in the
decolorization of dyes with sulfonic acid groups and carboxyl groups and that the number of
these groups has something to do with decolorization effectiveness. The more acidic groups in
the dye, the greater the interaction extent between the flocculant and the dye and the higher
the decolorization efficiency (DE) of the dye. Meanwhile, the hydrophobic groups in dyes also
affect the binding of the dyes by PAN-DCD. The more hydrophobic groups in the dye, the higher
the DE of the dye. The bigger the hydrophobic group in the dye, the more intensive the interaction
of the dye with the floculant. Furthermore, amino and hydroxyl groups in dyes are related to
the DE of the dyes as well, according to the formation of a hydrogen bond with the groups in the
macromolecule. Therefore, the process of flocculated decolorization, resulting from the interaction
between dye molecules and the flocculant, is controlled by both energetic and hydrophobic
interactions.