Preparation and adsorption capacities evaluation of supramolecular two-component gels nanostructures via fluorine-containing diacid and glutamic acid amino derivative

ABSTRACT

In this paper, new two-component supramolecular gels via 2,2-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane and N-(4-Aminobenzoyl)-L-glutamic acid diethyl ester have been prepared and tested in ethanol/water mixed solvents. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) were measured to characterize the morphology and nanostructure of the prepared supramolecular gels. The obtained experimental data reveal that different mixed solvents ratios play an important role in regulating formation of nanostructures and the gelation behaviors. Favorable volume ratios in ethanol/water mixed solvents seemed suitable for the formation of supramolecular gels due to cooperation of multi-intermolecular weak forces. SEM and TEM observations indicate that the gelator molecules self-assemble into different aggregate nanostructures including sheets, rods, bar shape, and belt in different solvents ratios. The adsorption capacities of the as-obtained supramolecular gels on model dyes demonstrate good removal rates with the adsorption process according to rather pseudo-first-order model than pseudo-second-order model. The present research work show it potential to prepare new gel soft materials and promising candidates for wastewater treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Two-component gel
• nanostructure
• self-assembly
• dye adsorption

Funding

The authors acknowledge financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21473153), Support Program for the Top Young Talents of Hebei Province, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2015M580214), and Scientific and Technological Research and Development Program of Qinhuangdao City (No. 201701B004).