Star PEG-based amphiphilic polymers: synthesis, characterization and swelling behaviors

Abstract

This paper describes the preparation, characterization and application of pentaerythritol ethoxylate-based crosslinked polymers as sorbent materials for a variety of liquids. A bulk polymerization method has been employed to produce amphiphilic polymeric sorbents in a solvent-free medium at moderately high temperature that does not require any initiator, catalyst or an activator. The morphological, structural and thermal properties of amphiphilic polymeric sorbents were determined by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 13C and 29Si CPMAS nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscope and thermal gravimetric analysis. Having hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions in the polymeric structure, the obtained sorbents have affinity toward both water and organic liquids. The effect of molecular weight of monomers on absorption ability was examined via swelling test. The swelling ability in binary mixtures was also studied to determine the absorption capacity of polymers in organic solvent–water mixtures. Absorption studies, absorption–desorption kinetics and reusability tests were also operated, and the experimental outcomes showed that the obtained polymers have high and quick absorption abilities and also can be reusable with no capacity loss in oils.