Removal of Anions from Aqueous Media by Means of a Thermoresponsive Calix[4]pyrrole Amphiphilic Polymer. Issue 59 (27th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ji, Xiaofan; Guo, Chenxing; Chen, Wei; Long, Lingliang; Zhang, Gengwu; Khashab, Niveen M.; Sessler, Jonathan L.
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 24:Issue 59(2018)
• Page Start: 15791
• Page End: 15795
• Publication Date: 2018-09-27
• Subjects: amphiphilic polymers -- anion recognition -- calixpyrroles -- thermoresponsiveness -- water purification; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201804335
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

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. Abstract : Add and subtract : Adding a thermoresponsive amphiphilic polymer containing calix[4]pyrrole to an anionic aqueous solution, followed by heating and filtration, allows for the removal of test anion from an aqueous source phase without the use organic solvents, as required by more traditional liquid–liquid extraction‐based approaches.