Which type of polymer will attract positively charged turbidity particles?

Cationic polymers are specifically designed to attract and bind with negatively charged particles due to their positive charge. In the context of water treatment and turbidity removal, many particles that contribute to turbidity, such as organic matter and some types of clay, carry a negative charge. When a cationic polymer is introduced to a solution with these negatively charged turbidity particles, the electrostatic attraction between the positive charges of the cationic polymer and the negative charges of the turbidity particles leads to the formation of larger flocs. This process enhances the removal of suspended solids during water treatment processes.

In contrast, anionic polymers carry a negative charge, which would repel negatively charged particles and not facilitate aggregation. Nonionic polymers, while they do not carry a charge, do not interact as effectively with charged particles for coagulation or flocculation purposes. Polymeric is a broad term that refers to any type of large molecule composed of repeating subunits, but it does not specify charge characteristics as cationic or anionic does. Thus, cationic polymers are the most effective choice for attracting positively charged turbidity particles due to their inherent positive charge.