PES/SiO_2 nanocomposite by in situ polymerization: Synthesis, structure, properties, and new applications

Abstract

SiO_2 nanoparticles of a quantum size (15 nm or less) were prepared via sol–gel method using tetraethylorthosilicate as a precursor. SiO_2 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analyses. Polyethersulfone/silica (PES/SiO_2) crystal structure nanocomposite was prepared by in situ polymerization using silica nanoparticles as reinforcement filler. The polymerization reaction was done at 160°C in paraffin bath in the presence of diphenolic monomers. XRD and FESEM analyses were used to study the morphology of the synthesized nanocomposite. The purity and thermal property of the PES/SiO_2 nanocomposite were studied by energy dispersion of X-ray analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. The effect of silica particles on the hydrophilicity of PES/SiO_2 nanocomposite was also investigated. It was showed that the PES/SiO_2 nanocomposite had a higher swelling degree when compared with the pure PES. The synthesized PES/SiO_2 powder was used to remove Cu(II) ions from its aqueous solution. The effect of experimental conditions such as pH, shaking time, and sorbent mass on adsorption capacity of PES/SiO_2 nanocomposite were investigated. It was found that incorporation of a low amount of silica (2 wt%) into the polymer matrix caused the increase of the Cu(II) ions adsorption capacity of PES. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012.

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