Composite Anion-Exchange Membrane Fabricated by UV Cross-Linking Vinyl Imidazolium Poly(Phenylene Oxide) with Polyacrylamides and Their Testing for Use in Redox Flow Batteries

Composite anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) consisting of a porous substrate and a vinyl imidazolium poly(phenylene oxide) (VIMPPO)/acrylamide copolymer layer were fabricated in a straightforward process, for use in redox flow batteries. The porous substrate was coated with a mixture of VIMPPO and acrylamide monomers, then subsequently exposed to UV irradiation, in order to obtain a radically cured ion-exchange coating. Combining VIMPPO with low-value reagents allowed to significantly reduce the amount of synthesized ionomer used to fabricate the mem- brane down to 15%. Varying the VIMPPO content also allowed tuning the ionic transport properties of the resulting AEM. A series of membranes with different VIMPPO/acrylamides ratios were prepared to assess the optimal composition by studying the changes of membranes properties—water uptake, area resistivity, permeability, and chemical stability. Characterization of the membranes was followed by cycling experiments in a vanadium RFB (VRFB) cell. Among three composite membranes, the one with VIMPPO 15% w/w—reached the highest energy efficiency (75.1%) matching the performance of commercial ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) used in VRFBs (Nafion® N 115: 75.0% and Fumasep® FAP 450: 73.0%). These results showed that the proposed composite AEM, fabricated in an industrially oriented process, could be considered to be a lower-cost alternative to the benchmarked IEMs.

Supramolecular hydrogels prepared from fluorescent alkyl pyridinium acrylamide monomers and CB[8]

Facile synthetic methodology unlocks alkyl pyridinium acrylamide monomers for use in the construction of cucurbit[8]uril mediated dynamic, fluorescent hydrogels.

The functionalization of polyacrylamide with MoS2 nanoflakes for use in transient photodetectors

Herein, we report solvent-free frontal polymerization of acrylamide monomers with transitional metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), i.e. MoS2 nanoflakes.

Use of Polyacrylamide Superabsorbent Polymers and Plantain Peel Biochar to Reduce Heavy Metal Mobility and Uptake by Wastewater-Irrigated Potato Plants

HighlightsAmending soil with SAP+BC and SAP reduced Cd, Cu, and Zn uptake into potato tubers.SAP+BC treatment led to greater Cd and Zn retention in topsoil.Acrylamide monomers were not detected in potatoes grown in SAP-amended soil.Potato peels accumulated higher concentrations of heavy metals than tuber flesh.Abstract. Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater; therefore, use of alternate sources for irrigation, such as wastewater, could alleviate increasing stress on freshwater resources. However, wastewater may contain contaminants such as heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn), which could be taken up by food crops and/or contaminate groundwater. To reduce the mobility of heavy metals in soil and deter their uptake by potatoes ( L.) irrigated with synthetic wastewater, polyacrylamide superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and a mixture of SAP and plantain peel biochar (SAP+BC) were tested as soil amendments. The experiment was performed in field lysimeters packed with sandy soil. SAP was incorporated into the soil layer from 0.15 to 0.25 m below the surface and BC was mixed into the top 0.10 m of soil, both at an application rate of 1% (w/w). Leachate and composite soil samples from different depths, collected after each irrigation event, were analyzed for heavy metals. Upon harvest, different plant parts were subjected to heavy metal analysis. Compared to the untreated control, the SAP+BC treatment led to significantly greater (p < 0.05) retention of Cd and Zn in the topsoil while significantly reducing (p < 0.05) Cd, Cu, and Zn uptake into potato tuber flesh tissue and Cd uptake into tuber peels. The SAP treatment also significantly reduced (p < 0.05) Cd uptake in the tuber as compared to the control. Acrylamide monomers were not detected in tuber flesh and peel samples for all treatments, indicating possible safe use of SAP and BC in soils to reduce heavy metal leaching and uptake by plants. Keywords: Biochar, Heavy metals, Hydrogels, Lysimeter, Plant uptake, Superabsorbent polymers, Wastewater.