Facile synthesis of poly(DMC‐co‐HPA) hydrogels via infrared laser ignited frontal polymerization and their adsorption–desorption switching performance

Abstract

In this work, we report a versatile infrared laser ignited frontal polymerization technique for the fabrication of a series of poly(DMC-co-HPA) hydrogels (DMC 5 methacryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, HPA 5 hydroxypropyl acrylate). Because the method is based on the exothermic reaction, no further energy is required in the reaction once it is initiated. Moreover, we have found the polymerization process is a pure frontal polymerization model without involving any other reaction process. The dependence of frontal velocity and temperature on the reaction time is thoroughly discussed. The asprepared hydrogels are pH-responsive and their maximum equilibrium swelling ratio could reach $3,890%. Also, the asprepared poly(DMC-co-HPA) hydrogels capable of adsorption/ desorption switching performance can be utilized for heavy metal ion removal in wastewater treatments. Interestingly, the hydrogels can float on the water surface after intaking heavy metal ions by the combination of kerosene and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) in hydrogel components, greatly enhancing treatment efficiency. We believe the method described herein to rapidly construct functional hydrogels with the ability to remove heavy metal ions may find unique applications in emergency processing of water pollution.

Self-Healing Hydrogel toward Metal Ion Rapid Removal via Available Solar-Driven Fashion

“…The chelation of metal ions with carboxyl units and hydrogel networks render them distinct advantages for carboxyl groups to capture the guest metal ions. While under acidic conditions, the protonation of carboxyl groups plays a key role in metal ion desorption. , The adsorption/desorption behavior could be easily switched by regulating the pH value, allowing the repeated cycle of hydrogels toward removal of metal ions, as illustrated in Figure c,d.…”

Intelligent sustained‐release microgel for reduced permeability of fluid channels: Synthesis and properties

“…When the monomer ionic degree was 10%, the release ratio reached the peak. This indicated that the intermolecular forces between the chains and the osmotic pressure had a profound effect on the release performances of the microspheres 38,39 . The presence of ions in the chain of microspheres and absorbed Na 2 SiO 3 caused the osmotic pressure difference between the polymeric network and the external solution increasing, to increase, resulting in an increase in the diffusion of Na 2 SiO 3 in water.…”

“…This indicated that the intermolecular forces between the chains and the osmotic pressure had a profound effect on the release performances of the microspheres. 38,39 The presence of ions in the chain of microspheres and absorbed Na 2 SiO 3 caused the osmotic pressure difference between the polymeric network and the external solution increasing, to increase, resulting in an increase in the diffusion of Na 2 SiO 3 in water. Meanwhile, the hydrolysis of ester groups in the alkaline solution of sodium silicate promoted the release of silicate radical ions, because the quaternary ammonium cation ( N + (CH 3 ) 2 Cl − ) connected with the main chains through the ester group ( COOCH 2 CH 2 ).…”

Rapid Fabrication of Patterned Gels via Microchannel‐Conformal Frontal Polymerization

“…The above mentioned peaks were observed on the spectra of P(AM-co-HPA-co-NVP) gel indi-cates the successful copolymerization of AM, HPA and NVP via FP. [35,36]…”