Effect of the coupling agent on the properties of poly(acrylic acid)−Al₂O₃ interpenetrating hybrids and sorption of metal ions

Abstract

New hybrid composites from poly[acrylic acid] (PAA) with Al2O3 oxide was obtained by radical polymerization/sol‐gel process using [3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate] (TMPM) as organosilane coupling agent. TMPM form covalent bonds between polymer and inorganic phases giving materials with interpenetrating hybrid networks structures. The organic/inorganic hybrids have a good divalent cation retention capacity.

Formation of poly(acrylic acid)/alumina composite via in situ polymerization of acrylic acid adsorbed within oxide pores

“…In the PAA/alumina composites, carboxylic acid groups are considered the predominant metal ion sorption sites. Metal ions on the composites may proceed through ion exchange with -COOH, or complexation with -COO - [19]. On the other hand, the stability constant of Pb(II)-PAA (6.75-7.0) is higher than Pb(II)-alumina (6.0), but there exist enough strong-adsorbing sites on alumina for metal ion to bind [23].…”

“…The reported isoelectric point for alumina is pH 7.2-9 [17 ]. PAA/alumina interpenetrated composites have been synthesized via the in situ polymerization route in combination with sol-gel preparation of alumina [18,19]. Also, in situ radical polymerization of acrylic acid has been attempted in the presence of alumina powders dispersed in PAA aqueous solution [20].…”

“…Above pH 6, a decreased metal ion sorption is discovered due to the enhanced Cd-PAA complex dissolution. The interpenetrated PAA/alumina composites synthesized by combined in situ polymerization of acrylic acid and sol-gel preparation of alumina have been shown to adsorb metal ions following Langmuir isotherms [19]. The sorption of different cations has been tested to demonstrate a sorption order: Ni 2+ < Cu 2+ < Cd 2+ < Pb 2+ .…”

A novel synthesis of TiO2/GO nanocomposite for the uptake of Pb2+ and Cd2+ from wastewater

“…In order to indicate the efficiency of the ionic liquid in increasing the surface area and nanocomposite pores, the efficiency of TiO 2 /graphene oxide prepared in the absence of ionic liquid toward Cd +2 and Pb +2 removal found to be 50% and 75%, respectively. Interestingly, the removal efficiency of the prepared nanocomposite toward cadmium and lead ions is promising and competitive with the previously published studies [43][44][45].…”

In Memoriam: Professor François Schué, 1938–2014

“…I hope this Special Issue of Polymer International with contributions from editors, former colleagues, collaborators, and students, who feel honored to be able to contribute to his memory, will give some flavor about his scientific activities in macromolecular science.…”