Han Ya Lin, Alessandra Imbrogno, Akhil Gopalakrishnan, Babak Minofar and Andrea I. Schäfer*,
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Cross-linkers employed to enhance cyclodextrin’s (CD) stability and mechanical strength in composite polymers may additionally enhance micropollutant removal. The impact of cross-linker types on the interaction, removal, and uptake of steroid hormones (SHs) with cross-linked β-cyclodextrin polymer (βCDP) in functionalized composite nanofiber membranes (CNMs) was investigated. The primary objective of the study was to assess the efficiency of CNM cross-linking with triphenylolmethane triglycidyl ether (TMTE) and trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TPTE) in eliminating SH, as compared to the extensively used epichlorohydrin (EP) that is recognized for its higher toxicity and epoxy-based structure. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the formation of the cross-linked βCDP structure, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) validated the successful immobilization of βCDP in nanofiber matrix membranes before and after filtration. The type of cross-linker influenced the uptake of SHs and their removal by the βCD molecules during filtration. The highest SH removal was achieved with βCD-EP and βCD-TPTE, reaching 67 ± 4 and 59 ± 5%, with respective uptake values of 10.6 and 9.7 ng/cm2 at a flux of 600 L/m2h and using the nanofiber matrix thickness of 320 and 528 μm. βCD-TMTE exhibited the lowest removal (22 ± 7%) and uptake (4.9 ng/cm2) due to the hindrance posed by its Y-shaped polymeric chain, which limited access to the βCD cavity. Molecular dynamics simulations further supported these experimental findings, illustrating a more dispersed spatial distribution of SH molecules around the βCD cavity when TPTE and TMTE were used as cross-linkers, in contrast to EP. In conclusion, triphenylphosphine glycidyl ether (TPTE) could be used as a potential alternative for EP in βCDP CNMs, given the comparable efficacy in SH removal and uptake. This study highlights the significance of cross-linker selection for designing cyclodextrin-based materials applied to micropollutant removal from water.
期刊介绍:
ACS Applied Polymer Materials is an interdisciplinary journal publishing original research covering all aspects of engineering, chemistry, physics, and biology relevant to applications of polymers.
The journal is devoted to reports of new and original experimental and theoretical research of an applied nature that integrates fundamental knowledge in the areas of materials, engineering, physics, bioscience, polymer science and chemistry into important polymer applications. The journal is specifically interested in work that addresses relationships among structure, processing, morphology, chemistry, properties, and function as well as work that provide insights into mechanisms critical to the performance of the polymer for applications.