FUNCTIONAL MESOPOROUS POLYMER MONOLITH FOR APPLICATION IN ION-EXCHANGE AND CATALYSIS

Mesoporous polyacrylonitrile (PAN) monoliths have been prepared by thermally induced phase separation technique (TIPS) using the unique affinity of PAN towards a mixture of water/dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). The overall microstructure, porosity and skeleton size of the polymer monoliths are controlled by optimizing the concentration of the polymer, ratio of water and DMSO, and the cooling temperature. The monoliths have been functionalized by amidoximation of the -CN functional groups in methanolic hydroxyl amine. The amidoximated PAN monoliths can be used as efficient ion-exchangers for the separation of different metal ions. On the other hand, the copper(II)-exchanged amidoximated monolith can be used as catalyst for oxidation of cycloalkanes and toluene under liquid-phase condition using mild oxidizing agent, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP).