Nanoporous Polymers for Water Purification

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jens Weber
• Subject Area: Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 236528140

A lot of progress has been made on the field of nanoporous polymers during the last few years. However, most of the systems still need to prove their benefit compared to classic nanoporous systems, such as activated carbon. One possibility would be to make use of the well-defined surface chemistry in adsorption applications. We propose the synthesis and characterisation of mesoporous polymers, i.e. polymers having pore sizes between 2 and 50 nm. The synthesis shall be designed in a way that allows a control of the final morphology of the materials, e.g. by using emulsion polycondensation or electrospinning. The formation of microparticles and membranes is envisaged. That way, the polymers should be directly useful for sorption purposes in water purification applications. The ad- or absorption of heavy metal ions and oxyanions (e.g. arsenates) is within the focus of the project. The underlying basics of the adsorption mechnanisms shall be investigated and dynamic separation protocols shall be developed.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants