Effect of structure matching in the adsorption process: The preparation of alkylbenzene-functionalized polypropylene nonwoven using surface modification for adsorbing nonylphenol

In this study, a functionalized polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric (PP-GMA/(n-OA)) with alkylbenzene groups is developed via irradiation polymerization and ring-opening amination method, which is utilized for selectively removing nonylphenol (NP) from complex aqueous solution. The design and fabrication of PP-GMA/(n-OA) is based on structure matching with NP. The PP-GMA/(n-OA) is endowed with a superior selective adsorption property toward NP, with selectivity coefficients (?) as high as 56.06 from the binary adsorbate systems of nonylphenol (NP) and phenol (Ph), and the maximum adsorption capacity for NP was 3.684 mg/g. The adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics are then studied to understand the adsorption behavior. Notably, it was speculated that the 7C-7C interplay, hydrophobic interplay, and hydrogen bonding would have synergistic effects in the adsorption process of NP by the PP-GMA/(n-OA) based on an analysis of the Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectrum and adsorption behaviors. The synergistic effect promoted the structure matching of NP molecule groups with the functional groups in the PP-GMA/(n-OA). In addition, the results of multiple adsorption regeneration experiments showed that the PP-GMA/(n-OA) was readily regenerated by washing in hot water with the lass decrease (12.8%) of adsorption capacity after five circulates. Overall, this study supplies a strategy for the design and preparation of efficient adsorbents for trace organic compound removal in aqueous solutions.

Automated summary

This study developed a functionalized polypropylene nonwoven fabric with alkylbenzene groups for selectively removing nonylphenol from complex aqueous solution. The fabric exhibited superior selective adsorption properties towards nonylphenol, and the adsorption mechanism was investigated through adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics. The results indicated synergistic effects of 7C-7C interplay, hydrophobic interplay, and hydrogen bonding in the adsorption process.