Conjugated microporous polymers for the adsorption of aqueous contaminants

  • Julia C Maxwell

Student thesis: Master's ThesisMaster of Science by Research (MScR)

Abstract

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) are a class of materials that combine extended π-conjugation with a microporous skeleton. They frequently exhibit desirable properties that include high surface areas, high thermal and chemical stability, and facile synthesis. An assortment of monomers and synthetic pathways results in a wide variety of CMPs that can all have different properties and structures. Thus far, CMPs have been developed for gas adsorption and separation, chemical adsorption, catalysis, sensing, and energy storage. However, the adsorption of aqueous contaminants by CMPs continues to be challenging due to their frequently hydrophobic nature.

In this work, polytriphenylamine (PTPA) was synthesised using a Buchwald-Hartwig coupling reaction. Alternative monomers were identified and incorporated into the reaction resulting in the synthesis of novel CMPs. Differences in hydrophobicity were determined using contact angle measurements. Studies were then conducted to evaluate each polymer as an adsorbent of water-based contaminants using a toxic dye as a model. It was shown that through modifying PTPA the performance of the material could be significantly enhanced. The CMPs were further functionalised in order to successfully adsorb methylene blue dye which was not possible with the initial polymers. Finally, the CMPs were successfully incorporated into a hydrogel to ensure easy use and removal of the adsorbent. The hydrogel-encapsulated CMP also provides an indication of how this material could be applied in real-life scenarios in the absence of scientific equipment.
Date of Award6 Dec 2022
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • University of Bristol
SupervisorCharl F J Faul (Supervisor) & Paul G Pringle (Supervisor)

Cite this

'