One-dimensional controllable crosslinked polymers grafted with N-methyl-D-glucamine for effective boron adsorption

In this research, a series of one-dimensional controllable crosslinked polymers with the different mass ratios of 4-vinylbenzychloride (VBC) and divinyl benzene (DVB) was prepared via cationic polymerization, and the polymers were grafted with the functional group N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG) for boron removal. The optimum polymeric mass ratio and a series of boron adsorption performances were studied. The maximum adsorption capacity was 18.15 mg g−1, of which 94% was retained after 4 cycles. Meanwhile, different pH values had negligible effect on the boron adsorption capacity, which was favorable for the removal of boron from its aqueous solution in a wide pH window. In addition, a magnetic adsorbent was prepared by the combination of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and the polymer, which provided an effective way to collect and recover adsorbents from their aqueous solutions.