Surface functionalization of cellulose fibers via aza-Michael addition for CO2-assisted water remediation

Abstract

The remediation of water that polluted by organic dyes and nanoparticles (NPs) remains a great challenge. However, second pollution of solid waste may produce if the adsorbents are not degradable or recyclable. The stimuli-responsive materials were regarded to be able to resolve this problem by reversible adsorption-desorption under stimuli. Here in this work, the surface of cellulose fibers was modified with CO2-responsive molecules through a simple esterification followed by an aza-Michael addition reaction. The chemical structure was confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray diffractometer (XRD) and thermal analysis. The gas-responsiveness was demonstrated by monitoring of the pH, conductivity and surface zeta potential. Anionic dyes and negative charged NPs in water can be selectively and reversibly captured by the CO2-responsive surface on cellulose fibers, suggesting the inexpensive, readily available and smart cellulose fibers may find great potential in water remediation.