Sulfonated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-cyclodextrin hybrid polymers for efficient removal of micropollutants from water

Herein, β-cyclodextrin-containing hybrid polymers (P1, P2 and P3) were prepared through crosslinking partially benzylated β-cyclodextrin (PBCD) by octavinylsilsesquioxane (OVS). P1 stood out in screening studies and the residual hydroxyl groups of PBCD was sulfonate-functionalized. The obtained P1-SO3Na showed greatly enhanced adsorption towards cationic MPs and maintained the excellent adsorption performance towards neutral MPs. The rate constants (k2) of cationic MPs upon P1-SO3Na were 9.8-34.8 times larger than those upon P1. The equilibrium uptakes of the neutral and cationic MPs upon P1-SO3Na were above 94.5 %. Meanwhile, P1-SO3Na demonstrated appreciable adsorption capacities, excellent selectivity, effective adsorption of mixed MPs at environmental levels and good reusability. These results confirmed the great potential of P1-SO3Na as effective adsorbent to remove MPs from water.