Effect of monomer organization on the behavior of PSS-PS micelles

Alves, Nuno G.; Rocha, Luciana S.; Moreira, José; Costa, Ana M. Rosa da; Pinheiro, J. P.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/9248

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Authors

Alves, Nuno G.

Rocha, Luciana S.

Moreira, José

Costa, Ana M. Rosa da

Pinheiro, J. P.

Abstract(s)

Six copolymers of styrenesulfonate-styrene (SS-S) of varying molecular weights were prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and proven to give rise to micelles in aqueous solution. Three are diblock copolymers (PSS-b-PS), while the other three have a random distribution of the two monomers, probably forming a gradient (PSS-co-PS). The latter ones form micelles of smaller sizes and present lower critical micellar concentrations (CMC) than the former. The morphologic and dimensional features of the micelles were obtained by TEM analysis and their CMC were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy.The trace metal ion removal ability of these micelles was tested. Thus the complexation capacity of PSS-b-PS and PSS-co-PS micelles towards Cd and Pb was evaluated using an electro-analytical stripping technique (AGNES). Both micelles performed similarly yielding percentages of metal removal that varied between 85 and 97% and 95-99%, for Cd(II) and Pb(II) respectively. Both copolymers demonstrate a good potential for future application in metal removal from water, namely on Micellar Enhanced Ultrafiltration techniques. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.