Synthesis and adsorption properties of polymer-mesoporous SiO2 nanocomposite based on cellulose biomass via self-assembly

The present work describes the fabrication of an amino hyperbranched polymer (AHP) functionalized mesoporous SiO2 nanocomposite based on cellulose biomass substrate through self-assembly method, obtaining a multi-functional hybrid composite (AM-cotton) as adsorbent for dye pollutions from aqueous medium. Specifically, polymer-functionalized mesoporous SiO2 nanoparticles (AMSNs) was obtained by covalently graft of AHP onto carboxyl-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CMSNs) which were prepared via one-pot co-condensation. Subsequently, owing to electrostatic interaction between interfaces, AM-cotton fibers were fabricated via self-assembly of amino coated AMSNs on the surface of anion-modified cotton fiber (AN-cotton). Due to considerate versatile functional groups from hyperbranched polymer on nano-sized mesoporous silica with large surface area per unit mass, the functional fiber AM-cotton exhibits excellent adsorption capabilities for anionic (Congo red, CR) and cationic (Methylene blue, MB) dye pollutant with maximum of 195 mg/g for CR and 144 mg/g for MB, respectively.