Preparation of biphenyl-bridged, crosslinked polyalkoxysilanes: Determination of oil/organic solvent absorption features

Abstract

A novel type of biphenyl-bridged alkoxysilane-based crosslinked polyalkoxysilane was prepared by the condensation of 4,4'-bis(triethoxysilyl)-1,1'-biphenyl and different lengths of linear aliphatic diols. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state C-13 and Si-29 cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the biphenyl-bridged, crosslinked polyalkoxysilanes. The crosslinked polymers were found to have very quick and high swelling capabilities in organic solvents and oils. The absorption-desorption kinetics and reusability features of the crosslinked polymers were also studied, and we found that the synthesized polymers reached their maximum absorption capacity during a variety of tests without losing capacity. We also tested the absorption performance of the sorbents from water surfaces. All of these results confirm that biphenyl-bridged, crosslinked polyalkoxysilanes could be good candidates as sorbent materials for the cleaning of water from organic contaminants. (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.