Poly(triethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate) hydrogel as a carrier of phosphotungstic acid for acid catalytic reaction in water

Abstract

A H₃PW₁₂O₄₀–polymer composite was synthesized from a mixture of triethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate monomer, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate crosslinker, and H₃PW₁₂O₄₀. The heteropoly acid molecules were trapped in the hydrogel by hydrogen-bond interactions and did not leach out of the composite when washed with water. Therefore, this composite could be used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the hydrolysis of ethyl ester in water.