Nanofibrillated cellulose composites with polymers for the removals of cations from aqueous media

In this PhD work, modified polyketones through the Paal-Knorr reaction bearing different kinds of functional groups at different conversion degrees were synthesized and characterized. Based on the obtained results was possible to determine that the different functional groups in the chemical structure of the modified polyketones may interact under hydrogen bonding as well as π-π stacking interactions, thereby affecting thermal properties like glass transition temperature (Tg). Additionally, the different chemical structure in the modified polyketones make it suitable for the uptake of metal ions (Ca2+ and Mg2+) in aqueous solution demonstrating interesting removal capacity. On the other hand, the modified polyketones were employed in the elaboration of composite membranes using cellulose nanofibers (CNF). The obtained composite membranes revealed interesting mechanical and electrical surface charges properties, which allow their use in the removal of metal ions from aqueous solution, and where the use of different modified polyketones in the preparation of those composite materials improve their performance.

Dissertation: https://hdl.handle.net/11370/2d40a194-f84f-4e26-a800-381e4c21ce4b