Preparation of poly(vinylalcohol)/poly(acrylamide-co-vinyl imidazole)/γ-Fe2O3semi-IPN nanocomposite and their application for removal of heavy metal ions from water

Interaction of lysozyme with solid supports cryogels containing imidazole functional group

This paper details the preparation of acrylamide-based supermacroporous cryogels and their application in removing lysozyme from aqueous solutions. N-Vinyl imidazole was copolymerized with acrylamide as a comonomer to impart pseudo-specificity to the cryogels, forming poly(AAm-VIM) cryogel. Characterization studies to assess the physical and chemical properties of the synthesized cryogels involved swelling tests, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA-DTA). To ascertain the optimal conditions for the adsorption process, pH 9.0 (TRIS buffer) was selected for lysozyme adsorption, using the parametres such as initial concentration screening, ionic strength, temperature, and column flow rate. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were analyzed to assess the adsorption parameters mathematically. The regression coefficient results indicated that lysozyme adsorption aligned more closely with the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption process is considered to be thermodynamically physical and spontaneous. SDS-PAGE analysis assessed the purity of lysozyme isolated from an aqueous solution using a poly(AAm-VIM) cryogel column. The inertness and regeneration capacity of poly(AAm-VIM) cryogel affinity columns were assessed using reusability studies conducted during the adsorption-desorption cycle.

Preparation and application of the thermo-/pH-/ ion-sensitive semi-IPN hydrogel based on chitosan

Chitosan based hydrogels with multiple stimulus responses have broad application prospects in many fields. Considering the advantages of semi interpenetrating network (IPN) technology and the special temperature and ion responsiveness of polymers containing zwitterionic groups, a semi-IPN hydrogel was prepared through in situ free radical polymerization of N,N-dimethyl acrylamide and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide with polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinker and carboxymethyl chitosan as filler. The gel mass fraction and swelling ratio were measured, and the preparation conditions were optimized. The result indicated that the hydrogel possessed a unique thermo-/pH-/ ion-sensitive behavior. The swelling ratio increased with the increase of temperature and ion concentration, and showed a decreasing trend with the increase in pH. In addition, the hydrogel was stable when the stimuli changed. Adsorption behavior of the hydrogel to Eosin Y (EY) was systematically investigated. The adsorption process can be described well by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model, indicating that it was a chemical adsorption. The experiments indicated that the hydrogel exhibited good antifouling and reusability features. Therefore, the semi-IPN hydrogel with antifouling properties and thermo-/pH-/ion-sensitivity can be easily manufactured is expected to find applications in water treatment fields.

Water-Soluble and Insoluble Polymers, Nanoparticles, Nanocomposites and Hybrids With Ability to Remove Hazardous Inorganic Pollutants in Water

The polymeric materials have presented a great development in adsorption processes for the treatment of polluted waters. The aim of the current review is to present the recent developments in this field of study by examining research of systems like functional water-soluble polymers and water-soluble polymer-metal complexes coupled to ultrafiltration membranes for decontamination processes in liquid-liquid phase. Noticing that a water-soluble polymer can be turned into insoluble compounds by setting a crosslinking point, connecting the polymer chains leading to polymer resins suitable for solid-liquid extraction processes. Moreover, these crosslinked polymers can be used to develop more complex systems such as (nano)composite and hybrid adsorbents, combining the polymers with inorganic moieties such as metal oxides. This combination results in novel materials that overcome some drawbacks of each separated components and enhance the sorption performance. In addition, new trends in hybrid methods combining of water-soluble polymers, membranes, and electrocatalysis/photocatalysis to remove inorganic pollutants have been discussed in this review.