Organosilicon dendritic networks in porous ceramics for water purification

Triethoxysilyl-functionalized poly(propylene imine) (DAB32) dendrimer and poly(ethylene imine) (PEI5) hyperbranched polymer were conveniently prepared in chloroform and were subsequently allowed to impregnate porous ceramic filters. Following hydrolysis of triethoxysilyl moieties to Si-OH, polycondensation occurred affording networks containing Si-O-Si bridges with simultaneous formation of Si-O-M bridges resulting from the interaction of Si-OH with M-OH of the ceramic surface. In this manner, covalent binding of the organosilicon dendritic polymers is achieved at the ceramic surface. These porous ceramic filters, impregnated with organosilicon dendritic polymers, were employed for water purification. The concentration of polycyclic aromatic compounds in water was reduced to the level of a few ppb by continuous filtration of contaminated water through these filters. The filters loaded with pollutants were effectively regenerated by treatment with acetonitrile.