We have investigated the molecular separation behavior of hydrogel microspheres (microgels).1 In this study, the microgels allow the selective separation and release of halogen-containing compounds. The delivery and/or removal of halogen-containing compounds is of particular importance in the context of drug delivery or the decontamination of drinking water. For the latter, metallic materials, such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs), are usually employed, even though this methodology is not without flaws, as the adsorbed halide anions need to be released from the LDHs prior to the reduction of the anions, which is accompanied by a release of chloride anions into the solution. We developed a new concept that is based on water-immiscible poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (pMEA) as the halogen bonding acceptor, which is incorporated in swollen hydrogels in order to increase the specific adsorption volume and dispersion stability. Due to the properties of the soft and swellable microgels, it is thus possible to control the amount of adsorbed halogen-containing compounds that is released (Figure). Thus, these nanocomposite microgels resolve a variety of problems associated with, e.g., the removal of halogen compounds from wastewater, or with the delivery of halogen-containing drugs.2 Moreover, we found that the other polymers also have halogen bonding ability, and the bonding strength can be controlled. Thus, the detailed results will be discussed at the session.

Hydrogel microspheres for selective separation of halogen compounds

255th National Meeting (2018)

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