Issue 9, 2017

Cyclic molecule aerogels: a robust cyclodextrin monolith with hierarchically porous structures for removal of micropollutants from water

Abstract

A series of robust cyclodextrin (CD) monoliths, cyclic molecule aerogels, were synthesized via supercritical drying of organogels formed by in situ catalyst-free cross-linking of CDs with soft and rigid isocyanates. The CD aerogels exhibit outstanding mechanical properties with high Young's modulus up to 166 MPa, and can be compressed up to 70% without any observable cracking, which is a significant achievement because CDs or CD polymers are normally powders and have extreme difficulty forming a mechanically strong monolith. Moreover, the aerogels have high BET surface areas (237 m2 gāˆ’1) and, unlike other aerogels, possess hierarchically porous structures including nano-cavities, micropores and mesopores for inclusion of organic molecules and polymers. Thus the CD aerogels are capable of removing various organic micropollutants from water, such as dyes, monomers and even polymeric surfactants.

Graphical abstract: Cyclic molecule aerogels: a robust cyclodextrin monolith with hierarchically porous structures for removal of micropollutants from water

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
09 Nov 2016
Accepted
30 Jan 2017
First published
30 Jan 2017

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017,5, 4308-4313

Cyclic molecule aerogels: a robust cyclodextrin monolith with hierarchically porous structures for removal of micropollutants from water

J. Wang, X. Wang and X. Zhang, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017, 5, 4308 DOI: 10.1039/C6TA09677H

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