Design Considerations for Next‐Generation Polymer Sorbents: From Polymer Chemistry to Device Configurations

Abstract

Adsorption‐based separations have the potential to enhance the sustainability of established industrial processes and facilitate the adoption of new practices. They also provide ways to meet emerging needs in the isolation of resources from non‐traditional supplies and the remediation of hazardous environmental contaminants. In this regard, there are significant opportunities to advance both fundamental polymer science and engineering applications through next‐generation adsorbent systems. Here, after briefly reviewing the history, potential application space, and underlying physics of polymer sorbents, design considerations that connect macromolecular design with systems‐level functionality, are discussed. First, polymer processing conditions are discussed in terms of the final nano‐ and microscale structures produced. Subsequently, the macromolecular chemistry of the materials is analyzed with respect to the ability of the separations systems to have analyte‐specific binding. Finally, a similar analysis is performed regarding the desorption mechanism used to release the target solutes. In this way, the manuscript attempts to connect macromolecular architecture with polymer physics and materials processing to provide guidance on how these important interrelationships impact the ultimate performance of sorbent systems.

Amphiphilic diblock copolymers as functional surfaces for protein chromatography

“…Functional groups commonly used in ionic interactions possess characteristic charges and determine the adsorption rates of various types of proteins including those which have been subjected to post-translational modifications. Citing rapid prototyping and relatively lower costs, polymers have evolved as reliable materials over the past two decades ( [4], [5], [6], [7]).…”

“…It is hypothesized that implementing single-step functionalization scheme leads to functional surfaces that promote protein adsorption. Further, a change in the form factor of separation materials (Table 2) from functionalized surfaces [7] to functional copolymer surfaces inside the separation column is likely to ease the fabrication challenges at a laboratory scale and provide improved control over surface morphology in presence of necessary functional groups.…”

Isolating the effects of gate layer permeability and sorbent density on the performance of solute-selective polymeric ion pumps

“…In this regard, stimuli that can be introduced directly to the polymer, bypassing the need to change the surrounding solution environment, may enable faster reponses. 51 Therefore, we see light and electroactive polymer 52 materials are interesting avenues to explore.…”

Thermo-Electro-Responsive Redox-Copolymers for Amplified Solvation, Morphological Control, and Tunable Ion Interactions

“…Stimuli-responsive materials have a wide range of applications, including sensors, actuators, electrochromic devices, and for separations. − In particular, redox metallopolymers have gained attention as a platform for electrochemically switched capture and release of ions, with high capacity, selectivity, and molecular modularity . While there has been significant progress in elucidating the charge-transfer origins of selective binding and developing molecular design rules to tune selectivity, especially for ferrocene-based polymers, , a deep understanding about the role of solvation in ion binding and whether solvation can be controlled through polymer–solvent affinity (hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity) remains elusive .…”