Poly(ethylene glycol)-based amphiphilic networks and their swelling properties

Abstract

New amphiphilic networks were generated using the various molecular mass of poly (ethylene glycol) and 1,8-bis(triethoxysilyl) octane through an easy polycondensation process at relatively high temperature to use as a sorbent material. The characterization of obtained sorbents was managed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, C-13, and Si-29 cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermal properties were settled by thermogravimetric analysis. Swelling skill of the sorbents was specified by swelling tests using several organic solvents such as dichloromethane (DCM), tetrahydrofuran, methyl tertiary butyl ether, toluene, and water due to its amphiphilic nature. Synthesized sorbents show quite large amount of organic solvent absorption for instance 1,800% in DCM with excellent reusability up to 10 cycles and have good strength against hydrolysis from 96 to 168 hr in water according to structure of obtained sorbents.