Mussel inspired catechol containing materials have currently drawn great attention as adhesives, biomaterials, surface coating and energy applications. In this work, for the first time we mimicked their ability as water filtration systems to adsorb organic and inorganic contaminants.<br/>For this purpose, the synthesis of biomimetic hydrogels was carried out based on co-polymerization of a new ionic monomer, dopamine methacrylic salt (iDA) with a series of water soluble methacrylate monomers by visible light photopolymerization. The iDA ionic monomer is<br/>highly water soluble as compared to previous reported monomers containing catechol groups. This allows its incorporation into different acrylic hydrogels where the composition of catechol groups can reach up to 50% mol leading to functional materials with variable morphology<br/>and swelling properties.These biomimetic hydrogels were evaluated in the removal of pollutants such as organic dyes and/or heavy metallic ions. In particular, these materials were highly effective for the removal of heavy metals such as As(V) and Cr(VI) showing very good effectiveness compared to previously reported hydrogel materials.

Catechol-containing hydrogels as bioinspired filters for water decontamination

2019 Fall National Meeting

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