Tuning the pore structure of templated mesoporous poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) particles toward diclofenac removal

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 324; p. 116221
• Main Authors: Borchert, Konstantin B.L., Carrasco, Karina Haro, Steinbach, Christine, Reis, Berthold, Gerlach, Niklas, Mayer, Martin, Schwarz, Simona, Schwarz, Dana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.12.2022
• Subjects: Adsorption; Diclofenac removal; Hard templating; Poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde); Porous resin particles; Water treatment; Hard templating; Diclofenac removal; Water treatment; Poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde); Porous resin particles; Adsorption
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116221

The increasing demand and implementation of pharmaceutics poses severe risk to different aquatic species as detectable contaminant in almost every surface water worldwide. Diclofenac (DCF) as one of the most common used analgesics was investigated as contaminant to be removed by adsorption onto nanoporous poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) (PMF) particles featuring a very high amount of nitrogen functionalities. To achieve a high specific surface area (up to 416 m2/g) and a tunable pore system by hard templating, four different SiO2 nanoparticles were used as template. Differences in the pore formation and achieved pore structure were elucidated. For the first time, the adsorption of DCF onto PMF was tested. In batch adsorption experiments, impactful adsorption capacities as high as 76 μmol/g were achieved and complete removal at initial concentrations of 2 mg/L DCF. Differences in the connectivity and the micropore structure were decisive for uptake in low concentrations and the achieved adsorption capacity, respectively. As the presented PMF particles can be easily synthesized with the monomers formaldehyde and melamine combined with colloidal silica as sacrificial template and water as green solvent, this material presents a viable adsorbent for the removal of DCF at a larger scale. Our study further indicates a high potential for the removal of other pharmaceuticals. [Display omitted] •Pharmaceutics such as diclofenac pose a severe risk to different aquatic species.•Poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde) particles with SBET up to 416 m2/g were synthesized.•SiO2 nanospheres of different sizes and stabilizers were used as sacrificial template.•Meaningful pHs were selected for adsorption, omitting omnipresent precipitation.•Porous PMF particles showed impactful adsorption capacities of 76 μmol/g.