Porous β-cyclodextrin polymers for rapid and efficient removal of organic micropollutants from water: The role of sulfonation and porosity on adsorption performance

Removal of organic micropollutants (OMPs) from water, especially hydrophilic and ionized ones, is challenging for water remediation. Herein, porous β-cyclodextrin polymers (PCPs) with tailored functionalization were prepared based on molecular expansion strategy and sulfonation. Partially benzylated β-cyclodextrin was knotted by external crosslinker to form PCP1, and knotting PCP1 by expansion molecule generated PCP2. PCP1 and PCP2 were sulfonated to achieve PCP1–SO 3 H and PCP2–SO 3 H. Based on systematical adsorption evaluation toward multiple categories of OMPs, it was found that the introduced strong polar –SO 3 H group could bring strong hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions . PCP2 showed the highest surface (998.97 m 2 /g) displayed more excellent adsorption performance toward neutral and anionic OMPs, and the adsorption mechanism for this property of PCP2 was dominated by hydrophobic interactions. In addition, the PCP1–SO 3 H with the lowest surface area (39.75 m 2 /g) rather than PCP2–SO 3 H with higher surface (519.28 m 2 /g) exhibited more superior adsorption towards hydrophilic and cationic OMPs, benefiting by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions as well as appropriate porosity. These results not only confirmed the performance enhancement of PCPs through the integration of novel preparation strategy, but also provided fundamental guidance for PCPs design for water remediation.