Room Temperature One-Step Conversion from Elemental Sulfur to Functional Polythioureas through Catalyst-Free...

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Sulfur utilization presents global challenges due to its abundance, storage issues, and limited consumption.
• Developing economic and efficient methods for sulfur transformation is crucial for industry and academia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a novel, catalyst-free method for converting elemental sulfur into functional polythioureas.
• To explore the potential applications of synthesized polythioureas in environmental remediation, specifically mercury detection and removal.

Main Methods:

• A multicomponent polymerization reaction involving sulfur, aliphatic diamines, and diisocyanides in air.
• Characterization of the resulting polythioureas for structure, molecular weight, and yield.
• Evaluation of polythioureas for mercury(II) ion detection and removal capabilities.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of 16 distinct polythioureas with well-defined structures, high molecular weights (up to 242,500 g/mol), and yields up to 95%.
• Demonstrated high sensitivity (Ksv = 224,900 L/mol) and selectivity of polythioureas for mercury detection.
• Achieved >99.99% removal efficiency for Hg2+ to meet drinking water standards, with real-time monitoring via fluorescence.

Conclusions:

• A highly efficient, room-temperature, catalyst-free polymerization method for sulfur transformation into polythioureas has been established.
• Synthesized polythioureas exhibit significant potential for environmental applications, including sensitive mercury detection and effective water purification.