New sorbents containing beta-cyclodextrin. Synthesis, characterization, and sorption properties

New hydrophilic and insoluble polymers containing beta-cyclodextrin (beta C D) have been prepared by simple radical polymerization in water using 2-hyd roxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as comonomer. Several copolymers with various degrees of beta CD were synthesized. A characterization was carried out us ing infra-red spectroscopy and Cross Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Nucl ear Magnetic Resonance C-13 (CP/MAS NMR). The molecular mobilities of these polymers have been analyzed in terms of nuclear relaxation parameters such as C-13 spin lattice relaxation (T1) and H-1 spin lattice relaxation in th e rotating frame (T1 rho). These new sorbents containing beta CD were then used for the recovery of various organic pollutants from aqueous solutions. The results of sorption experiments show that they exhibit high sorption c apacities toward substituted benzene derivatives. The mechanism of sorption is due to the formation of an inclusion complex between beta CD and guest molecules. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.