Sorption of Aromatic Compounds with Copolymer Sorbent Materials Containing β-Cyclodextrin

• Main Authors: Lee D. Wilson, Mohamed H. Mohamed, Christopher L. Berhaut
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2011-08-01
• Series: Materials
• Subjects: β-cyclodextrin; sorption; dichlorophenol; isotherm; pentachorophenol; 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid; urethane copolyme
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/4/9/1528/

Urethane copolymer sorbent materials that incorporate β-cyclodextrin (CD) have been prepared and their sorption properties with chlorinated aromatic compounds (i.e., pentachlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) have been evaluated. The sorption properties of granular activated carbon (GAC) were similarly compared in aqueous solution at variable pH conditions. The sorbents displayed variable BET surface areas as follows: MDI-X copolymers (< 101 m2/g), CDI-X copolymers (< 101 m2/g), and granular activated carbon (GAC ~103 m2/g). The sorption capacities for the copolymers sorbents are listed in descending order, as follows: GAC > CDI-3 copolymer ≈ MDI-3 copolymer. The sorption capacity for the aromatic adsorbates with each sorbent are listed in descending order, as follows: 2,4-dichlorophenol > 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid > pentachlorophenol. In general, the differences in the sorption properties of the copolymer sorbents with the chlorinated organics were related to the following factors: (i) surface area of the sorbent; (ii) CD content and accessibility; and (iii) and the chemical nature of the sorbent material.