Premium
Removal of 2,4,6‐Trinitrotoluene from “Pink Water” Using Molecularly‐Imprinted Absorbent
Author(s) -
Meng Zihui,
Zhang Qiuyue,
Xue Min,
Wang Dan,
Wang An
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.56
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1521-4087
pISSN - 0721-3115
DOI - 10.1002/prep.201000048
Subject(s) - molecularly imprinted polymer , trinitrotoluene , chromatography , chemistry , nitrobenzene , monomer , solvent , polymer , nuclear chemistry , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , selectivity , catalysis , engineering , explosive material
Molecularly‐Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) were designed, prepared, and tested for the removal of TNT from “pink water”, which contains 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) and other nitrobenzene compounds (NBCs) produced in army ammunition plants. We have investigated the interactions between TNT template and different monomers using molecular modeling and spectrometric methods, which enables us to optimize the MIP compositions. A suspension polymerization method was utilized to prepare MIP beads with an average diameter of 25 µm, and an imprinting effect of 4.3 was achieved. Furthermore, we have constructed a model absorbance reactor using a flash chromatography system, which was successfully used to monitor the removal of TNT and other NBCs on‐line, and the MIP absorbent was regenerated in‐situ. Compared with granular activated carbon, the capacity of the MIP absorbent is 65‐fold higher. In addition, the MIP absorbent can be regenerated easily, and the capacity only decreases by 7 % after four rounds of regeneration. Besides “pink water”, the MIP absorbent can also be used to remove NBCs in the waste stream from TNT production.