Perfluoroalkylated benzoic acid-based phase-selective supramolecular self-assembly system for dye removal

Abstract

In this study, perfluoroalkylated derivatives of benzoic acid S-6 and O-6 were designed and synthesized as supramolecular gelators using a simple one-step method. Both S-6 and O-6 could form gels in various organic solvents. Notably, these compounds have potential applications in environmental remediation, with S-6 demonstrating significant promise for oil spill treatment. After five recycling cycles, the recovery rate of the gelation capacity for diesel oil remained above 90%. Xerogels derived from O-6 at a concentration of 5 wt% in pump oil effectively adsorbed Rhodamine B (RhB). The adsorption process primarily involved chemical adsorption, electrostatic interactions between the O-6 xerogel and the cationic RhB dye, as well as physical adsorption within the xerogel’s pores. In summary, benzoic acid derivatives represent a kind of multifunctional, recyclable, and efficient materials.