Novel magnetic pillar[5]arene polymer as adsorbent for rapid removal of organic pollutants in water or air

Abstract

A magnetic pillar[5]arene polymer (M-P5A-P) was prepared for removal of organic pollutants in water and air. M-P5A-P was synthesized by grafting pillar[5]arene polymer on the surface of the cellulose-closed magnetic microparticles. The obtained M-P5A-P was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, magnetic hystersis loop analysis, thermo-gravimetric analysis, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. When used as an adsorbent for four different types of organic pollutants (bisphenol A, 1-naphthylamine, propranolol and methylene blue) in water, M-P5A-P presented much higher adsorption ability than magnetic cellulose and fast binding kinetics with the equilibrium time all less than 10 min. Moreover, M-P5A-P can be rapidly separated from solution by a magnet, and it showed good reusability and reproducibility. M-P5A-P was successfully applied to the simultaneously rapid removal of four pollutants (0.1 μg mL−1 for each one) in mixed solution with removal efficiencies of 82.3–99.4% within 5 min. M-P5A-P can also rapidly capture styrene vapor at environmental concentration to a concentration much lower than the limit of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration within 5 min. Therefore, M-P5A-P can be potentially used as a good adsorbent for simultaneously removing different type of organic pollutants in water or air.