Polythiacalix[4]amides as a Novel Category of Macromolecules; Synthesis, Antibacterial Evaluation and Investigation on their Spectral and Thermophysical Characteristics

Abstract

Polythiacalix[4]amides as a novel category of polyamides, with high sorption capability towards some environmentally hazardous metal cations, especially Hg 2+ , have been synthesized via direct polycondensation protocol using a thiacalix[4] arene dicarboxylic acid and commercial diamines. The polyamides were obtained in high yields and possess inherent viscosities in the range of 0.55-0.75 dl/g. The photophysical characteristic was studied by looking for the maximum absorption wavelength of each polymer using UV absorption spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis displayed high thermal stability for these polyamides in range of 337 to 346 °C at the point of 10% weight loss, and their char yields were about 32.9-58.5% at 600 °C. Also, glass transition temperatures were between 157 and 178 °C. To survey on possible sorption capability of these polythiacalixamides, solid-liquid extraction of some toxic transition metal cations, such as Cu 2+ , Co 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ and Hg 2+ from wastewater was performed. Antibacterial evaluation was conducted using Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria strains and some reliable results have been obtained. The results showed some promising features of their ability for being employed as possible ingredients of industrial antibacterial membranes.