Polydimethylsiloxane amino functionalized sponge for adsorption of copper in water

This work describes the preparation and use of a polydimethylsiloxane sponge amino functionalized for the adsorption of copper in water. The sponge was structurally characterized by infrared spectroscopy and solid-state 29Si NMR, which indicated the presence of silsesquioxane units that acted as nodes on the PDMS chains and linked the functional groups to the network. Thermogravimetric analysis of the product showed good thermal stability, with the initial temperature of weight loss at 400 °C. The material displayed a high degree of swelling in polar solvent, presumably due the cavities. The presence of the amino group increases the adsorption of copper onto the surface of the sponge, with adsorption capacity of about 2.0 mmol (127 mg) per gram of material. The sponge shows promising results for environmental remediation with the removal of copper in water, as well as a simple utilization with no need of a separation process after metal adsorption.