3D Cationic Polymeric Network Nanotrap for Efficient Collection of Perrhenate Anion from Wastewater

Rhenium is one of the most valuable elements found in nature, and its capture and recycle are highly desirable for resource recovery. However, the effective and efficient collection of this material from industrial waste remains quite challenging. Herein, a tetraphenylmethane-based cationic polymeric network (CPN-tpm) nanotrap is designed, synthesized, and evaluated for ReO4- recovery. 3D building units are used to construct imidazolium salt-based polymers with positive charges, which yields a record maximum uptake capacity of 1133 mg g(-1) for ReO4- collection as well as fast kinetics ReO4- uptake. The sorption equilibrium is reached within 20 min and a k(d) value of 8.5 x 10(5) mL g(-1) is obtained. The sorption capacity of CPN-tpm remains stable over a wide range of pH values and the removal efficiency exceeds 60% for pH levels below 2. Moreover, CPN-tpm exhibits good recyclability for at least five cycles of the sorption-desorption process. This work provides a new route for constructing a kind of new high-performance polymeric material for rhenium recovery and rhenium-contained industrial wastewater treatment.

Automated summary

A new tetraphenylmethane-based cationic polymeric network nanotrap has been designed and synthesized for the effective recovery of rhenium from industrial waste, with a record maximum uptake capacity, fast kinetics uptake, and stable sorption capacity over a wide range of pH values. This innovative material shows great potential for rhenium recovery and industrial wastewater treatment.