A novel flocculant based on hybrid AI(OH)(3)-polyacrylamide (HAPAM) has been synthesized using a redox initiation system ((NH4)(2)S2O8-NaHSo(3)) at 40degreesC in aqueous medium. The HAPAM was characterized by viscometry, IR spectroscopy, TEM, conductivity, and TGA. The flocculation behavior for 0.25 wt% kaolin suspension was evaluated by spectrophotometry and phase contrast microscopy. It was found that an ionic bond exists between Al(OH)(3) colloid and polyacrylamide (PAM) chains in the HAPAM and the flocculation efficiency of HAPAM is much better than that of commercial polyacrylamide (PAM) and PAM/AlCl3 blend. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.