Abstract
To address the challenge of removing unwanted anions from aqueous media under extraction-free conditions we have prepared a thermoresponsive amphiphilic polymer with pendent calix[4]pyrrole (C4P) receptors. Because of its amphipathicity, this polymer self-assembles into micelles in water. These micelles contain the C4P receptors buried in a hydrophobic core. This allows uptake of various cesium anions into the micelles. Due to the thermal- responsiveness of the hydrophilic block chain, the anion-bearing micelles precipitate in water upon heating. Simple filtration allows their removal from the aqueous environment, thus allowing for effective water purification. Treating the anion-trapped micelles with acidic aqueous solution leads to the competition-induced release of the bound anion and thus recycling the polymeric material.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 15791-15795 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Chemistry - A European Journal |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 59 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 27 2018 |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): CRG6 2017 3503
Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (grant CRG6 2017 3503). Further support from the Robert A. Welch Foundation (F-0018) is acknowledged.