Synthesis and characterization of a novel polyamidoamine-cyclodextrin crosslinked copolymer

A novel insoluble crosslinked copolymer containing β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) structural units has been synthesized with polyamidoamine (PAMAM, generation 2) as comonomer. The polymer was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pores and surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and thermal analysis (thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric measurement, TG/DSC). The results reveal that PAMAM-CD copolymer has been synthesized successfully and two β-CD molecules were cross-linked by one PAMAM (G2.0) molecule (on average). The copolymer has a reef-like surface with many irregular nanocavities, and its thermal stability is > 180°C in an argon atmosphere. The synthesis strategy presented in this work provides an innovative route for the synthesis of a PAMAM-CD-based copolymer. In preliminary sorption experiments, the PAMAM-CD copolymer exhibits high sorption capacities and high removal efficiencies toward both the heavy-metal ions (Cu(2+) and Pb(2+)) and organic compounds (2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and ponceau 4R (C.I. 16255)). The polymer may provide many possibilities for applications in biomedical sensing, flocculation, sorption, and therapeutics.