Solution processable polyamines via click chemistry for water purification

Abstract

Amine functionalised polymers are not widely used in applications owing to increased reactivity, sensitivity to air and moisture, low stability and processing difficulties. Here, we report a convergent strategy for the synthesis of four stable and processable amphiphilic amine functionalized polymers, poly(N-triazolepropyl phenyl aniline-co-styrene) P1, poly(N-triazoleoctyl phenyl aniline-co-styrene) P2, poly(N-triazolexylyl phenyl aniline-co-styrene) P3, and poly(N-aminopropylphenyl pyridine-co-styrene) P4, using click reaction. Full structural characterization and properties of the polymers are established using different spectroscopic and physicochemical methods. All the polymers were soluble in common organic solvents and insoluble in water. Porous films and spherical particles were obtained via drop-casting the solutions of copolymers in chloroform or in N,N-dimethylformamide, respectively, on glass substrates. The synthesized polyamines were used for the liquid–liquid and solid–liquid extraction of metal nanoparticles, organic dyes and heavy metal ions from water. All the polymers showed significant extraction efficiencies towards metal nanoparticles (20–45 mg g⁻¹) and organic dyes (25–70 mg g⁻¹) dissolved in water. Such synthetic polyamines can be used as potential adsorbents for water purification.