Strategies for the synthesis of a new class of porous
and nonporous
biodegradable microparticles (MPs) based on poly(d,l-lactic acid)–poly(ethylene glycol)–COOH (PDLLA–PEG–COOH)
or poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)
(PLGA) copolymers have been investigated. Further, these MPs were
coated with polyethylenimine (PEI) in order to compare the performance
of the naked and PEI-capped MPs for the gas phase capture of model
aldehyde volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hexanal and octanal. The
removal efficiencies of the different MP formulations ranged from
50% reduction to 97% reduction of VOC vapors. By coupling the intrinsic
gas adsorption properties of the parent, naked MPs with the potential
for covalent capture by means of the PEI surface coating, we have
generated new materials exhibiting a dual modality for VOC capture.
These materials represent a new matrix for the remediation of VOCs
based on renewable, sustainable polymers.