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TEMPO‐Oxidized Cellulose Cross‐Linked with Branched Polyethyleneimine: Nanostructured Adsorbent Sponges for Water Remediation
Author(s) -
Melone Lucio,
Rossi Bianca,
Pastori Nadia,
Panzeri Walter,
Mele Andrea,
Punta Carlo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chempluschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.801
H-Index - 61
ISSN - 2192-6506
DOI - 10.1002/cplu.201500145
Subject(s) - cellulose , adsorption , aqueous solution , chemistry , nuclear chemistry , environmental remediation , nanofiber , amide , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , contamination , engineering , biology , ecology
Adsorbent sponges for water remediation were prepared using TEMPO‐oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNFs) as three‐dimensional scaffolds, and branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI, 25 KDa) as the cross‐linking agent. TOCNFs were suspended in aqueous solution in the presence of variable amounts of bPEI. The mixtures were first freeze‐dried and then thermally treated (from 60 to 102 °C over 10 h) promoting the formation of amide bonds between the carboxylic groups of TOCNF and the primary amines of bPEI. The resulting materials, which were characterized by FTIR and 13 C CP‐MAS NMR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis, showed higher chemical and mechanical stability in water than non‐reticulated cellulose composites. The high adsorption capability of the new sponges was verified for different organic pollutants (p‐nitrophenol, 2,4,5‐trichlorophenol, and amoxicillin), and heavy metal ion pollutants (Cu, Co, Ni, Cd), indicating their potential for water decontamination.