Synthesis of highly functionalized polymeric networks for water remediation

The work proposed in the current project deals with the fabrication of highly functionalized polymeric networks (HFPNs) for the sake of wastewater remediations. The modular nature of the highly functionalized polymeric networks (HFPNs) allows the control of both functionalities and porosity of the materials which in turn can lead to the synthesis of target specific materials for the removal of a particular pollutant from wastewater. Furthermore, the uniqueness of HFPNs lies in their salient features such as excellently increased surface area, chemical and thermal stability, porosity, tuneability and cost effectiveness. Given the unique and promising features of the HFPNs, the aim of the project is (i) to synthesize HFPNs using bisacrylamides as a crosslinker and subsequent application of HFPNs for wastewater remediations and (ii) synthesis of HFPNs using allyl ammonium salts as a crosslinker and their subsequent application for wastewater treatment. The incorporation of various functions such as -NH2, -COOH, -CONH, aromatic moieties, cationic and anionic charges would enhance the performance of the HFPNs for wastewater treatment. The presence of different functionalities in the structure of the same material would enable the HFPNs to develop various types of interactions such as electrostatic interactions, H-bonding and hydrophobic interactions with organic and inorganic pollutants present in wastewater. Our intension is to design such methods and strategies which would lead to simple, cost effective, easy to synthesize, tuneable and efficient HFPNs for wastewater treatment. Development of such technologies could lead to cleaner and potable water which is desperately needed by the masses World over.