Preparation of functional composite grafted particles PDMAEMA/SiO2 and preliminarily study on functionality

Micron-sized silica gel particles were first surface-modified with coupling agent, γ-methacryloylpropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS), and the polymerizable double bonds were introduced onto the surfaces of silica gel particles, forming the modified particles MPS-SiO₂. Subsequently, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) was graft-polymerized on the surfaces of particles MPS-SiO₂ in the manner of “grafting through”, resulting in the grafted particles PDMAEMA/SiO₂. The grafted particles PDMAEMA/SiO₂ were fully characterized with several means. The graft polymerization process of DMAEMA on particles MPS-SiO₂ was studied in detail, and the optimal reaction conditions were determined. Thereafter, the adsorption properties of the grafted particles PDMAEMA/SiO₂ for chromate anion and Cu²⁺ ion were preliminarily examined respectively. The experimental results indicate that the PDMAEMA grafting degree on PDMAEMA/SiO₂ particles is limited because an enwinding polymer layer as a kinetic barrier on the surfaces of silica gel particles will be formed during the graft polymerization, and blocks the graft polymerization. In order to enhance PDMAEMA grafting degree, reaction time and temperature, and the used amount of initiator as well as the monomer concentration should be effectively controlled. The preliminary adsorption tests show that the grafted particles PDMAEMA/SiO₂ are multi-functional. They possess very strong adsorption ability for CrO₄²⁻ anion by right of strong electrostatic interaction, and have also adsorption action towards heavy metal ion by dint of complexing action.