Novel porous β-cyclodextrin/pillar[5]arene copolymer for rapid removal of organic pollutants from water

Abstract

A novel porous β‐cyclodextrin/pillar[5]arene copolymer was prepared using tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile as cross-linker for rapid removal of variety of organic pollutants. The copolymer was characterized by water contact angle, scanning electron microscope, FT-IR spectrum, solid-state 13C NMR spectrum, thermo-gravimetric analysis, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and elemental analysis. Results showed that the co-polymer had good water immersibility, co-existing micro-/meso-pores, and a large specific surface area (BET) of 479 m2/g. The copolymer presented high adsorption capacity with the maximum adsorption capacity of 258 mg/g for bisphenol A and good reusability and reproducibility. It also showed fast binding kinetics with the apparent second-order rate constants of 0.109−0.179 g/mg·min and simultaneously rapid removal ability with removal efficiencies of 74–90% within 30 s for variety of organic pollutants. The new copolymer can be potentially used as adsorbent for rapidly removing a wide range of organic pollutants in wastewater.