Deliverables
The main aim of the proposal was to design polymeric materials based on cyclodextrins derivatives and analogous receptors for the removal of toxic metal cations fro water.
Activities involved during the period of this Contract fulfil the list of deliverables submitted to the European Community in the technical annex attached to the contract. Thus the outcome of this investigation has led to a wide variety of receptor based on cyclodextrin derivatives or analogous macrocycles such as calix[4]resorcinarenes, calix[4]arenes followed by their characterisation through NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), IR spectroscopy and in same cases X ray crystallographic studies. The ability of these receptors to interact with toxic metal cations was assessed through potentiometric, conductimetric, UV/Visible spectrophotometry, macro and microcalorimetry, differential thermal analysis. Cyclodextrin derivatives were grafted into polymeric matrices and to silica. Properties of these materials such as porosity, surface area, stability were determined. The sorption capacity of these materials to remove toxic metal cations was demonstrated.
The results were reported in several scientific publications and presentations to national and international conferences. A considerable number of postgraduate and postdoctoral workers (23) were involved in this research. The novel materials synthesised have numerous applications not only in the environmental field but for analytical and biomedical purposes. The first list of deliverables was fully accomplished according to plans.