How Ionic Liquid Gels Work on the Removal of Bisphenol A from Wastewater

Abstract

The occurrence of emerging pollutants in water bodies is a pressing issue of modern society and identifying materials to remove them is the main target of current research. In this work, we prepared and characterized supramolecular gels of 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene-d-sorbitol (DBS) in ionic liquids differing for the anion and the aliphatic or aromatic nature of the cation. We characterized our gels for their thermal stability and mechanical properties. We also found that all gels self-heal in 24 h after being cut by a razor blade. We then used our gels as sorbents to remove bisphenol A, an endocrine disruptor compound, from aqueous solutions. All gels adsorb BPA with high removal efficiencies, and those obtained in aliphatic ionic liquids act faster than their aromatic counterparts. The highest observed adsorption capacity was 314 mg/g. Gels were reused without loss in performance and need for intermediate washing, and the gel obtained in [bmpip][NTf2] could be reused 37 times, maintaining a removal efficiency higher than 96%. It was loaded in a sequential system of syringes to treat flowing aqueous phases, removing 60% of BPA in 30 min. We also embedded the gel in the dialysis membrane and observed a removal efficiency of 85% after 48 h.

Hybrid gels by combining low molecular weight glycolipid gelators with agarose: a promising soft material for efficient dye removal

“…Gels have received much attention as adsorbents in the literature. 27,28 Different materials can be used as adsorbents, such as amino-functionalized silica gel, 29 chitosan/graphene oxide nanocomposite aerogel, 30 supramolecular ionogels, 31 metallogels, 32 supramolecular gels, 27,28,33 polymer gels, 20 fly ash, 34 and metal complexes. 35,36 Dye adsorption via reliable, non-toxic, eco-friendly, and low-cost materials is more important.…”

Impact of the Cationic Moiety of Ionic Liquids on Chemoselective Artificial Olfaction

“…ILs can be immobilized in polymeric matrices, giving rise to ion-based materials as ionogels, which combine the properties of both the polymer matrix and the corresponding IL. 1 Ionogels are appealing to develop innovative functional materials applicable in a variety of fields, namely, agents for the removal of pollutants, 2 controlled reaction media, 3 antimicrobial gels, 3 or stimuli-responsive and conductive films and fibers. 4 …”