New acetylacetone-polymer modified nanoparticles as magnetically separable complexing agents

Abstract

In this paper, we present two methods of synthesis of new bifunctional polymeric nanohybrids and their full characterization. These nanohybrids consist of a magnetic nanoparticle core and polymeric shell which possess the ability to complex metal ions and organic compounds. Synthesized materials exhibit superparamagnetic properties and can thus be easily separated from complex mixtures by using an external magnetic field (facile separation, purification and recyclability). Herein, the syntheses of three bifunctional monomers are presented. Each of them was used to prepare the homopolymeric shell and two types of copolymeric shells (using styrene as a comonomer) around the magnetite nanoparticles. A surface initiated RAFT/MADIX polymerization technique was employed to prepare polymeric shells. Afterwards, post-modification of azide functionalized polymeric shells using the Huisgen “click” reaction was performed. Finally, twelve types of nanohybrids were prepared and their physicochemical properties were investigated. Additionally, the ability of nanohybrids to complex lanthanides and spectroscopic properties of obtained materials were studied.