Sorption behavior of polymeric gels based on alkoxysilane and aliphatic diol

Abstract

We describe a convenient method for the synthesis of a series of cross-linked polyalkoxysilanes based on condensations of n-octyltriethoxysilane (OTES) with linear aliphatic diol monomers. The cross-linked polymers possessed moderate thermal stability and good, regenerable solvent absorption features and were effective in removing organic waste liquids from water. The polymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solid-state CPMAS C-13 and Si-29 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and elemental analysis. Determination of the swelling ability of the cross-linked polymers was examined by the swelling test, swelling, and desorption kinetics. The effect of the hydrophobicity of the aliphatic diol monomers on the polymer properties and solvent absorption capability was also examined.