Porous polymer networks and ion-exchange media and metal-polymer composites made therefrom
AssigneeNorthwestern University
InventorsMercouri G. Kanatzidis, Alexandros Katsoulidis
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Abstract
Porous polymeric networks and composite materials comprising metal nanoparticles distributed in the polymeric networks are provided. Also provided are methods for using the polymeric networks and the composite materials in liquid- and vapor-phase waste remediation applications. The porous polymeric networks, are highly porous, three-dimensional structures characterized by high surface areas. The polymeric networks comprise polymers polymerized from aldehydes and phenolic molecules.
Claims20
A composite material comprising:
- (a) a porous, three-dimensional, aromatic polymeric network comprising an organic polymer comprising phenolic groups, wherein the phenolic groups are crosslinked through linkages comprising one or more non-phenolic aromatic rings;
- and
- (b) metal nanoparticles distributed within the polymeric network.
A method for liquid-phase remediation using an ion exchange material comprising a porous, three-dimensional, aromatic polymeric network comprising an organic polymer comprising phenolic groups, wherein the phenolic groups are crosslinked through linkages comprising one or more non-phenolic aromatic rings, and further wherein the walls of the polymeric network that define the pores in the polymeric network are functionalized with ion-exchangable cations, the method comprising exposing the material to a liquid-phase sample comprising metal ions capable of undergoing ion exchange with the ion-exchangable cations, whereby said ion exchange occurs;
- and subsequently removing the material from the sample.
A porous, three-dimensional polymer network comprising an organic polymer comprising hydroxynaphthalene groups, wherein the hydroxynaphthalene groups are crosslinked through linkages comprising one or more aromatic rings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.