New sorbents containing beta-cyclodextrin. Synthesis, characterization, and sorption properties

Abstract New hydrophilic and insoluble polymers containing β-cyclodextrin (βCD) have been prepared by simple radical polymerization in water using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as comonomer. Several copolymers with various degrees of βCD were synthesized. A characterization was carried out using infra-red spectroscopy and Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 13 C (CP/MAS NMR). The molecular mobilities of these polymers have been analyzed in terms of nuclear relaxation parameters such as 13 C spin lattice relaxation (T1) and 1 H spin lattice relaxation in the rotating frame (T1ρ). These new sorbents containing βCD were then used for the recovery of various organic pollutants from aqueous solutions. The results of sorption experiments show that they exhibit high sorption capacities toward substituted benzene derivatives. The mechanism of sorption is due to the formation of an inclusion complex between βCD and guest molecules.