Amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol) gels and their swelling features

Abstract

This article describes the preparation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) -based gels for removal of both organic solvents and water through a clean synthesis process without using any initiator, catalyst, activator, or liquid medium. The synthesis of the gels is based on the condensation of different molecular weights of PEG macromolecules with the nine-functional crosslinker tris[3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] isocyanurate (ICS). Solid-state 13 C and 29 Si crosspolarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and elemental analysis were used to characterize the prepared sorbents. Thermal properties of the synthesized sorbents were examined using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The swelling capacities of the sorbents were determined by swelling tests in dichloromethane (DCM), tetrahydrofuran (THF), benzene, acetone, and toluene. The water absorbency of the PEG-based sorbents is also investigated. The effect of the reaction time and reaction temperature on swelling features of the sorbents was studied systematically. The prepared PEG gels have high swelling ratios both in polar and nonpolar solvents.

The catalytic effects of in situ prepared N-heterocyclic carbenes from benzimidazole salts in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction and uses in catalytic preparation of 1,3,5-triphenyl-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione from phenyl isocyanate

“…On the other hand, isocyanurates have been prepared by cyclotrimerization reaction from isocyanates and these types of heterocyclic and aromatic compounds have been used in a variety of materials. 53,54 Due to their excellent thermal and chemical properties, isocyanurates have been used to improve polymers, such as increasing the electrical properties and thermal stability of copolyimides, 55 syntheses of highly stable plastic 56 and amphiphilic polyethylene glycol gels, 57 and increasing the flame retardancy and thermal stability of epoxy resins 58,59 and polypropylene. 60,61 Isocyanurates are also an important class of compounds for improving coating and other properties of polyurethane.…”

Synthesis and characterization of polypropylene glycol‐based novel organogels as effective materials for the recovery of organic solvents

“…Water pollution caused by petrochemical products and organic pollutants has significantly increased over the recent decades, and therefore, has been considered as an immense environmental hazard, which requires peculiar attention. In general, these water–oil pollutions occurs from spillage during shipping, storage, and end usage of oil that leads to the triggering of environmental hazards, majorly affecting the aquatic ecosystem 1,2 . At very small amounts of organic solvents and oils, toxicity toward aquatic microorganisms have proven to be hazardous.…”

A monolithic anti-freezing hydro/organo Janus actuator with sensitivity to the polarity of solvents

“…Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a synthetic polymer which is a linear or branched, nontoxic, and biocompatible macromolecule that can be soluble in water and various organic solvents. 31 Amphiphilic gelsanother area of usage of PEGare three-dimensional networks which contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments that can absorb water and organic solvents. [31][32][33] In addition to the high water absorption properties of these PEG-based materials, recently studied PEGDA polymer materials have a high absorption capacity in various polar solvents, [34][35][36] but do not absorb non-polar solvents.…”

“…31 Amphiphilic gelsanother area of usage of PEGare three-dimensional networks which contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments that can absorb water and organic solvents. [31][32][33] In addition to the high water absorption properties of these PEG-based materials, recently studied PEGDA polymer materials have a high absorption capacity in various polar solvents, [34][35][36] but do not absorb non-polar solvents. 34 Polypropylene glycol (PPG), which is usually produced by the ring opening polymerization of propylene oxide, is a polymer with alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups in molecular chains.…”