Functional Elastomeric Copolymer Membranes Designed by Nanoarchitectonics Approach for Methylene Blue Removal

Abstract

The nanoarchitectonic approach, based on nanoscale structural units combination for achieving materials with predesignated properties, was used for assembling elastomeric membranes with specific adsorption abilities. A triblock copolymer polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-b-polystyrene-graft-maleic anhydride (PSEBMA), containing 2 wt% of maleic anhydride moieties, was selected for conferring both elastomeric properties and covalent reticulation/functionalization points to the materials. Covalently crosslinked membranes were obtained by condensation of maleic anhydride units with bisamine linkers, leading to amide and imide bonds formation. Tuning the molecular weight (1kDa or 8kDa) and the stoichiometric ratio of bisamine linkers enabled controlling the mechanical properties of elastomeric membranes, reaching a toughness of 1.35 MJ m −3 with a fracture strain exceeding 100%. Functionalization of these membranes was achieved by covalent reaction with β-aminocyclodextrins (CD), enabling cumulating elastomeric properties with host-guest complexation abilities. CDfunctionalized PSEBMA membranes were tested for removal of methylene blue (MB) as a model aromatic pollutant, demonstrating specific adsorption abilities up to 18 mg g −1 of grafted CD. These findings were supported by physical-chemical investigations using ATR-FTIR, UV-Vis, TGA, and BET sorption, as well as morphological investigations through SEM, and mechanical analysis by strain-to-break measurements.

Nanoarchitectonics Can Save Our Planet: Nanoarchitectonics for Energy and Environment

“…(vi) effect of tailored hydroxyapatite nanorods on cervical cancer cells [18]; and (vii) copolymer membranes for methylene blue removal [19].…”

Removal of Organic Dyes from Water and Wastewater Using Magnetic Ferrite-Based Titanium Oxide and Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites: A Review

“…Another recent trend of study explored functional elastomeric copolymer membranes designed by nanoarchitectonics approach for Methylene Blue Removal. The results demonstrated specific adsorption abilities up to 18 mg/g of grafted cyclodextrins [139].…”

Weak Polyelectrolytes as Nanoarchitectonic Design Tools for Functional Materials: A Review of Recent Achievements

“…Since the charge density on weak polyelectrolyte is pH-dependent, it also enables the dissolution of hydrophobic/ionic BCPs in polar organic solvents [ 204 , 205 ]. Emerging applications include agents that can be used to stabilize and/or deliver dugs, peptides, and small molecules; lubricants; colloids; the patterning of nanostructures; the synthesis of stimuli-responsive capsules; and filtration membranes [ 206 , 207 , 208 , 209 ]. Chemically, BCPs are formed by the covalent linkage of two or more distinct monomer units grouped in discrete blocks along the polymeric chain [ 210 ].…”