Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 2.10
PNIPAM nanoporous hydrogel illed with PANI by
in situ
polymerization.
monolithic pieces of a nanocomposite containing a conducting polymer is simply
in situ
polymerization of an appropriate monomer (e.g., aniline) loaded inside the nanoporous
hydrogel [67] (Figure 2.10).
2.2.3.2 Magnetite Nanoparticles Adsorbed in a Macroporous Hydrogel
Magnetite (Fe
3
O
4
) nanoparticles have been extensively used to adsorb toxic ions such
as arsenite [125]. However, free nanoparticles in natural waters could have deleterious
effects on aquatic life. A possible way to use magnetite nanoparticles without releas-
ing them into the environment consists of adsorbing them into macroporous hydrogels
(Figure 2.11).
While magnetite nanoparticles can be formed
in situ
inside nanoporous hydrogels,
preformed particles do not enter a non-macroporous hydrogel likely owing to steric
constraints.
FIGURE 2.11
Magnetite nanoparticles adsorbed on the inner surface of a macroporous hydrogel. Note that the whole hydro-
gel mass is lifted using a permanent magnet because of the presence of nanoparticles.
