Designing Internal Hierarchical Porous Networks in Polymer Monoliths that Exhibit Rapid Removal and Photocatalytic Degradation of Aromatic Pollutants

Abstract

This paper describes the preparation of 3D polymer monoliths containing internal hierarchical porosity. The porous networks are fabricated based on Pickering high‐internal‐phase emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized by microporous β‐cyclodextrin‐based polymer particles (CDPs) as the emulsifier; CDPs are facilely synthesized by the polyaddition reactions without the need for catalysts. The designed Pickering agents enable to form a bicontinuous internal phase in 8:2 cyclohexane–water v/v, and the oil droplets in the continuous water phase is found to be fairly stable up to 1 month. Furthermore, the addition of acrylamide and N,N'‐methylenebis(acrylamide) results in polymer networks after in situ thermal polymerization at 60 °C in the water phase, and the monoliths include both interconnected macropores from the HIPE template and micro‐ and mesopores from the CDPs embedded at the interface. The porous monoliths rapidly absorb a variety of solvents taking advantage of multiscale porosity and amphiphilicity. Furthermore, the materials can be efficiently used for the removal of aromatic pollutants and then reused after washing and drying without the deterioration of performance. Also, they exhibit high photocatalytic capability and good recyclability as being used as a catalytic support when embedded with titanium dioxide (TiO2).

Macrocycle‐Based Porous Organic Polymers for Separation, Sensing, and Catalysis

“…Chang and co-workers described that β-CD can be readily polymerized with 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate to rapidly form β-CD-based polymer monolith via the catalyst-free polyaddition reaction (Figure 35a). [124] This CD-polymer have a high emulsifying capacity to stabilize Pickering high-internal-phase emulsions, and then form CD-based hydrogel monoliths. Moreover, the obtained materials contain internal multiscale porosity and amphipathic networks, offering feasibility for removing large amounts of organic pollutants.…”

Recent Progress on Molecular Photoacoustic Imaging with Carbon-Based Nanocomposites

“…Therefore, on the one hand, the agent materials can be incorporated into biocompatible polymers such as hydrogels or bio-based thermosets, to enhance sensing ability as a signal transducer for PA signals under physiological conditions [ 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 ]. On the other hand, they would provide spatiotemporal control of stimuli-responsive materials that exhibit auto-inductive or reversible responses [ 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 ] or would be used to analyze interior structures when embedded in complex materials containing biomimetic or hierarchical structures [ 104 , 117 , 139 , 140 , 141 ]. Furthermore, the functional carbon-based materials would open up the possibilities for the development of theragnostic biomedical devices, e.g., smart vascular scaffolds or self-powered healthcare systems that can sensitively monitor diverse bio-signals on the basis of PA signals and provide an early, relevant treatment when needed.…”

“…For example, microporous organic polymers generally show a very high char yield when carbonized [99][100][101][102], a strong requirement for the formation of matrices during carbonization. Different types of other materials with fibrous or hierarchical structures or from natural sources also facilitate the synthesis of matrices [103][104][105][106][107]. Silica (SiO2) is a good starting point for biocompatible materials, it has also been used extensively as a structural template for the preparation of hybrid imaging agents [94,95].…”

“…For example, microporous organic polymers generally show a very high char yield when carbonized [99][100][101][102], a strong requirement for the formation of matrices during carbonization. Different types of other materials with fibrous or hierarchical structures or from natural sources also facilitate the synthesis of matrices [103][104][105][106][107]. Graphene is one of the carbon allotropes and has a π-conjugated, two-dimensional structure.…”

Application of different Nanocatalysts in industrial effluent treatment: A review

“…Biodegradation of most of these aromatic pollutants dissolved in water is very hard, therefore becoming a longterm and direct toxic threat to aquatic and amphibian lives, animals, and microorganisms. Finally, this process affects humans since the lives on land depend on aquatic products and water, and some of these pollutants are extremely toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic [5][6][7].…”