Monofunctionalized cyclodextrin polymers for the removal of organic pollutants from water

Water is an important resource for domestic, industrial, agricultural and recreational purposes. The quality of water is however significantly deteriorating due to the accumulation of organic pollutants in aqueous systems. Conventional water treatment technologies fail to remove these contaminants to desirable levels. Recent studies have revealed that cyclodextrin nanoporous polymers are capable of absorbing pollutants from water to parts per billion levels. We have demonstrated that functionalised cyclodextrin polymers have enhanced absorption capacities for some organic pollutants. Here we report the synthesis of several insoluble monosubstituted cyclodextrin polymers or “nanosponges”. We show that these polymers have improved abilities in the absorption of p-nitrophenol and pentachlorophenol from aqueous solutions.