Suspension polymerization for synthesis of new hypercrosslinked polymers nanoparticles for removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions

Abstract

Novel hypercrosslinked polymers nanoparticles (HCPNs) were designed by suspension polymerization technique with high surface area as well as HCPNs with functional groups have the affinity to removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions. Two HCPNs were synthesized through a two-step reaction, initially including the suspension polymerization of N-methacryloxytetrachlorophthalimide (NMTPA) with divinyl benzene (DVB) to give poly(NMTPA-co-DVB) and followed by the treatment of poly(NMTP-co-DVB) with triethylenetetramine (TETA) to give HCPNs (1) and with tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) to give HCPNs (2). Using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the surface morphology of the particles of the synthesized HCPNs was detected, and also, the particle size was measured. Also, the chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were illustrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). Thermal stability of the synthesized HCPNs was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis. The results illustrated that the particle size of the synthesized HCPNs is in range of 25–50 nm. The synthesized HCPNs compounds were reported for the separation of copper ions from wastewater, in which the results showed a very good affinity for these compounds for separation of copper ions from wastewater.