Patent Description:
The present disclosure provides novel solid sorbents synthesized by the reaction of polyamines with polyaldehyde phosphorus dendrimer (P-dendrimer) compounds for metal sequestration. The sorbents are highly stable and exhibit desirable thermodynamics and reaction kinetics with a wide variety of metals including heavy metals and rare earth elements. The sorbents can be easily regenerated for repeated use to extract metals from an aqueous solution. The materials are stable to aqueous and organic media, as well as strong acid and bases. The sorbents maintain full capacity over many cycles of use.

Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

The contamination of water sources by heavy metals (e.g. Pb, Hg, As, etc.) stemming from industrial pollution or natural occurrence can have devastating effects on the environment and poses a significant threat to human health. Industrial waste discharges contain heavy metals, which are highly water-soluble, that enter aquatic streams leading to absorptive build up in cultivated soils, and present technical challenges for removal to preserve drinking water quality. Long-term exposure to heavy metals or ingestion beyond permitted concentrations can lead to serious human health disorders or even death. World-wide regulatory efforts have been established to limit the exposure of humans to dangerous heavy metals and the effective reduction in concentration of the metals to trace levels (< <NUM> ppb) remains a significant challenge to-date.

Three of the most highly toxic water-contaminating elements are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As). These metals cause various adverse health effects at low exposure levels, with significant risk for death at high ingestion levels and causing cancer from long term exposure. The current regulatory limits of the U. environmental protection agency (EPA) for lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) are <NUM> ppb, <NUM> ppb, and <NUM> ppb respectively. Heavy metals commonly enter drinking water supplies from the erosion and dissolution of natural deposits, as well as from agricultural and industrial waste water. Lead specifically poses a challenge for drinking water when pipes that contain lead corrode, which is prevalent in water supplies with high acidity or low mineral content. Due to strict human exposure standards, extremely efficient and cost-effective technologies are required to purify water supplies before mass consumption.

Various technologies have been developed to remove contaminating heavy metals from water streams, including precipitation, coagulation, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, solvent extraction, flotation, and membrane separation. These processes typically face economic and technical hurdles, such as low capacities and low removal rates which prevent their implementation due to low-energy process requirements and the necessary avoidance of toxic sludge. <NUM> Adsorption technologies have emerged as attractive alternatives due to low cost, simplistic process designs with strong metal binding affinities and high removal rates. <NUM> Solid sorbents that do not mix with waste water but can remove toxic and harmful impurities are greatly sought after. The adsorbent technologies have been based off zeolite, activated carbon, silica, polymers, biomaterials, ion exchange resins, industrial byproducts, biomass, and biological materials. <NUM> Of the class of adsorbent technologies, those that bind heavy metals via the chelation effect offer a cheap and environmentally friendly technique that has minimized technical limitations.

In the polymer class of adsorbents, dendritic polymers have gained significant attention in water purification applications. Dendrimers are well-defined, step-wise constructed polymers that have many reactive end groups. These macromolecules have a well-defined structure that can be finely tuned through the precise addition of specific monomers. The ease of diversification and functionalization with a variety of end groups has made dendritic materials promising candidates for heavy metal removal from polluted water sources. Dendrimers are well suited adsorbents due to their three-dimensional structure providing both external and internal binding sites, strong chelation effects from a larger number reactive sites, and tunability to specifically target various contaminants. <NUM> The most widely studied and applied dendritic polymer is the poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer, which consists of ethylenediamine and methylacrylate repeating units. The PAMAM dendrimer is non-toxic, low cost, easily synthesized, and shows high affinities towards heavy metals. <NUM> The amine-functionalized dendrimers remove heavy metals through strong chelation effects by the various amine units of the polymer.

Typically, dendrimers, such as PAMAM, must be supported or integrated with other inorganic or organic materials to enhance the mechanical strength, to form a solid material, and to increase the available surface area for heavy metal removal. The most common supports are silica and carbon-based, however titania, magnetic nanoparticles, cellulose, chitin, and membranes have also been demonstrated. The supported dendrimers have shown capabilities to remove a wide range of heavy metals (Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Hg(II), etc.). The support of the dendrimers inevitably decreases the overall chelator content in the final material, due to the dilution (by weight) of the dendrimer onto the sorbent. Amine-functionalized dendrimers typically operate under narrow pH ranges (<NUM>-<NUM>) with nominal adsorption capacities (<<NUM>/g), with a few exceptions reaching over ><NUM>/g. <NUM> Likewise, the regeneration and stability of dendritic materials has not been thoroughly explored.

Rare earth elements (REEs), which consist mainly of the lanthanide (Ln) metals along with scandium (Sc) and yttrium (Y), are chemically similar elements that have unique properties that have made REEs vital for developing technologies. Specifically, the REEs are highly desired based on a steadily increasing demand in the energy, electronics, and defense industries, but also because of instability of the supply market. In <NUM>, the U. Geological Society estimated that global REE reserves totaled <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> tons, and the main REE reserves are controlled mainly by China (<NUM>%) and Brazil (<NUM>%), with only <NUM>% owned by the U. As of <NUM>, China controlled <NUM>% of the global REE market. <NUM> The lack of a stable U. supply chain and concerns not only of environmental and social concerns by which REEs are mined, but of national security due to foreign REE dependence has prompted significant efforts to develop new technologies to recover and recycle REEs.

Recovering REEs from water bodies in the U. is too large of a challenge. A report from Noack et al. in <NUM> found REE concentrations ranging between <NUM> - <NUM> pmol/L from ocean, groundwater, river, and lakes. <NUM> REE concentrations were found to be dramatically increased when measured from acidic water sources and acidic soils. <NUM> Recently, acid mine drainage (AMD) sludges, which are inherently highly acidic, have been found to contain significant concentrations of REEs. REEs have been detected from coal mining AMD in concentrations of <NUM> to over <NUM>,<NUM>/L, which is a remarkably high concentration, allowing for this waste stream to be a potential source for REE recovery. <NUM>-<NUM> The AMD liquid stream is complex, containing a variety of other metal contaminants alongside the REE mixture making extraction of mixed or pure REE components challenging.

The most common industrial separation technologies use multistage liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and resin-based chromatography. <NUM> The LLE processes utilize large volumes of organic solvents for repetitive extractions to obtain a partial selective REE concentrated solution while generating a large volume of organic waste. The resin-based chromatographic process can overcome selectivity challenges, however, the costs of the ion-exchange resins is too high due to their inability to be regenerated. Emerging technologies for REE extraction utilize chemical precipitation, membrane separation, and adsorption. Of these approaches, the adsorption process minimizes solvent waste while also improving separation efficiencies between REEs and other co-contaminants. <NUM> The absorbents are typically functionalized with Lewis basic compounds so that they have a strong interaction with the highly Lewis acidic REEs. For example, adsorbents such as monmorillonite and bentonite display poor REE adsorption efficiency, however, when modified with chelating agents their adsorption efficiency was greatly enhanced. <NUM>-<NUM> The most common Lewis basic chelating agents employed for REE capture are carboxylate and amine moieties.

The two main types of solid-phase adsorbents are based on Lewis basic functionalities anchored to solid support materials (e.g. silica) covalently or in the chemical composition of polymeric materials. The first example of using amine-functionalized silica supports was reported by Florek et al. in <NUM>, in which they prepared a diglycolamide-modified KIT-<NUM> silica to extract and separate lanthanides. <NUM> In <NUM>, Zheng et al. prepared maleic anhydride functionalized mesoporous silicas for REE capture, with specifically high activity for Eu<NUM>+ and Gd<NUM>+. <NUM> Recognizing the role of the Lewis base's geometry for REE capture, Hu et al. prepared phthaloyl diamide functionalized KIT-<NUM> silicas for targeted REE adsorption with a maximum capacity of <NUM>/g adsorption capacity. <NUM> Hybrid silica-amine-polymer matrix materials was prepared by Wilfong et al. in <NUM>, which displayed high ppm and ppb REE adsorption efficiencies. <NUM>,<NUM> Although silica materials are highly effective, the grafting materials tend to be costly and scaling the grafting process is technically challenging.

Polymeric REE adsorptive materials were first prepared by Gao et al. in <NUM> using immobilized gel particles derived from poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA) crosslinked with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to remove lanthanides and Ce<NUM>+. <NUM> The PGA-PVA polymers were capable of adsorbing all the lanthanides from a mixture at <NUM>/L dosages with <NUM>/L sorbent loadings. A variety of other cross-linked polymer materials have been prepared for REE adsorption. <NUM>-<NUM> One of the most promising polymer sorbents adsorbed <NUM>/g La<NUM>+ within <NUM> minutes of exposure. <NUM> The benefits of polymeric materials is derived from the high loading of chelating agents that can be incorporated into the polymer material. This allows for the material to adsorb higher concentrations of REEs from solution.

The essential features of the invention are set out in the independent product claim <NUM>. Further, preferred embodiments are described in dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>. The present disclosure provides a method of removing a metal from an aqueous fluid stream which comprises contacting an aqueous fluid stream with a polyamine phosphorus dendrimer (P-dendrimer) having the formula I
<CHM>
wherein W is a phosphorus based dendrimer core; X is a polyfunctional aromatic linker; Y may be present or absent and if present is a polyfunctional amino phosphoryl group linked to a polyfunctional aromatic linker; Z is an diamino alkyl group, a polyalkyl amino group, a polyethyleneimine having a Mw ranging from <NUM> to about <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>, or a polypropyleneimine; j and k are numerical values corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values independently range from <NUM> to <NUM>; and l is a numerical value corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The disclosure also provides a method of adsorbing, separating, storing or sequestering a metal from an aqueous fluid stream, comprising contacting the aqueous fluid stream with a polyamine phosphorus dendrimer (P-dendrimer) having the formula I
<CHM>
wherein W is a phosphorus based dendrimer core; X is a polyfunctional aromatic linker; Y may be present or absent and if present is a polyfunctional amino phosphoryl group linked to a polyfunctional aromatic linker; Z is an diamino alkyl group, a polyalkyl amino group, a polyethyleneimine, or a polypropyleneimine; j and k are numerical values corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values independently range from <NUM> to <NUM>; and l is a numerical value corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>; so as to adsorb, separate, store or sequester the metal from the aqueous fluid stream.

The disclosure also provides a process for the capture and removal of metals from an aqueous metal-containing stream the process comprising: (a) providing a housing having dispersed therein a sorbent comprising a polyamine phosphorus dendrimer (P-dendrimer) having the formula I
<CHM>
wherein W is a phosphorus based dendrimer core; X is a polyfunctional aromatic linker; Y may be present or absent and if present is a polyfunctional amino phosphoryl group linked to a polyfunctional aromatic linker; Z is an diamino alkyl group, a polyalkyl amino group, a polyethyleneimine having a Mw ranging from <NUM> to about <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>, or a polypropyleneimine; j and k are numerical values corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values independently range from <NUM> to <NUM>; and l is a numerical value corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>; (b) passing a metal-containing stream through the housing such that the metal-containing stream contacts the sorbent; (c) flushing the housing with a concentrated acidic stream to cause the sorbent to desorb a metal-retained therein and form a desorbed metal solution; and (d) flushing the housing to remove the desorbed metal from the housing.

The invention provides a sorbent comprising a sorbent comprising (a) iron II or iron III and (b) a polyamine phosphorus dendrimer (P-dendrimer) having the formula I
<CHM>
<CHM>
wherein W is a phosphorus based dendrimer core; X is a polyfunctional aromatic linker; Y may be present or absent and if present is a polyfunctional amino phosphoryl group linked to a polyfunctional aromatic linker; Z is an diamino alkyl group, a polyalkyl amino group, a polyethyleneimine having a Mw ranging from <NUM> to about <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>, or a polypropyleneimine; j and k are numerical values corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values independently range from <NUM> to <NUM>; and l is a numerical value corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

This disclosure describes the preparation of an adsorbent directly from the reaction between a polyamine compound with a phosphorous dendrimer to provide a solid, water-stable material with a high degree of amine functionality. The dendrimers were recently disclosed in two publications from the inventors describing their preparation, their physical properties, and their uses for CO<NUM> capture. <NUM>,<NUM>.

The synthetic pathway involves a cross-linking reaction between polyamines with polyaldehyde phosphorous dendrimers, which provides easy access to a solid compound that can be scaled. Phosphorous dendrimers (P-dendrimers) are polymer star-like materials, and can be employed as a cross-linking agent to form solid sorbents. P-dendrimers can be synthesized by straightforward means and commonly are functionalized at terminal positions by reactive end groups, such as aldehydes. <NUM> In general, P-dendrimers are thermally stable robust compounds that can be advantageously employed for materials applications. P-dendrimers can range in size based on the number of branches emanating from the central core, with each branch being called a "generation. " The use of a dense compound layered with aldehydes provides an excellent anchor to react with many amine functionalities to rigidify and ultimately solidify polyamine compounds.

Importantly, the sorbent preparation is modular allowing for the preparation of materials with various amine content and core structures to fine tune the sorbent's reactivity. The P-dendrimer core and generation growth unit of the sorbent synthesis can be altered to modify the morphology of the sorbent. P-dendrimers of generation <NUM> to <NUM> can be employed. Any polyamine (≥<NUM> amine functionalities) can be employed to prepare a chelating solid sorbent.

The P-dendrimer solid sorbent materials were found to be excellent candidates for heavy metal and REE removal from liquid sources, for both batch and column flow-through removal applications. The disclosed solid sorbents have high capacities, removing the metals to trace levels (ppb concentrations). Importantly, the sorbents described show excellent stability to acid and bases, showing no decomposition and allow them to operate under harsh conditions for metal removal. Various parameters for metal removal were examined (pH, kinetics, co-contaminant effect, flow-through rates) with the sorbent excelling under all conditions.

The solid sorbent is prepared in a one-pot two, step procedure involving <NUM>) a condensation reaction between amine functionality of a polyamine compound and aldehyde moieties of a polyaldehyde compound to form imine intermediates; followed by <NUM>) a reduction of the imine intermediates with sodium borohydride to form alkyl amines; otherwise known as a reductive amination process (<FIG>). This twostep sequence covalently locks polyamine compounds, such as PEI, together through aldehyde units to form a solid sorbent. Between steps, the imine-containing compound is washed with tetrahydrofuran and crushed using a mortar pestle to remove unreactive amine starting materials. The target compound is isolated by filtration and is washed with water, methanol, and diethyl ether to remove sodium borohydride remnants and any soluble organic species. Both reactions take place at room temperature under stirring conditions with no precaution taken to exclude air or moisture. The aldehyde compound employed may be commercially available or synthesized through standard laboratory methods. These compounds may also be formed through direct alkylation conditions. The final sorbent can be sieved or crushed to desired particle sizes.

A polyaldehyde P-dendrimer (<NUM> equivalence) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (<NUM>-<NUM> concentration) and stirred open to air in a round bottomed flask. The polyamine compound (<NUM>-<NUM> equivalence) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (<NUM>-<NUM>) and added rapidly to the above mixture, producing a white solid that begins forming anywhere from <NUM> seconds to <NUM> hour. The reaction was left to stir for <NUM> hours. The imine intermediate was filtered and washed several times with tetrahydrofuran, then crushed with a mortar and pestle to a powder. The powder was transferred to a new round bottomed flask, dispersed in tetrahydrofuran/methanol (<NUM>:<NUM> ratio, <NUM>-<NUM>) and stirred. To this mixture was added excess sodium borohydride (><NUM> equivalence) and let stir for <NUM>-<NUM> hours. After completion, the mixture was filtered, washed with water, with methanol, and with diethyl ether and dried (<FIG>). The resulting compound was shelf stable and no precautions were taken for storage.

The aldehyde component of the sorbent synthesis must possess <NUM> or greater aldehyde functional groups. Aldehydes can react with amine functional groups of either singular or separate polyamine compounds to produce an insoluble imine compound. The imine compound is composed of a network of bonds, like that of a cross-linked polymer, whereas the aldehyde unit is randomly dispersed in the material through multiple linkages. Sorbents were prepared from a variety of polyaldehyde compounds, and their reactions with polyamine compounds. Changing either component can affect the morphology and the capacity of the sorbent.

The P-dendrimers used in this study are easily prepared by literature known procedures, or slight modifications therein, through the addition of nucleophiles to an electrophilic phosphorous-containing species. Two examples of P-dendrimer building blocks used in this study are thiophosphoryl chloride and hexachlorophosphazene. An example of a common nucleophile that can be added to these phosphorous chloride compounds is <NUM>-hydroxybenzaldehyde. The P-dendrimers may be synthesized from other nucleophiles to yield compounds with aldehyde functionality for use in making solid sorbents. The preparative method for forming solid sorbents is not limited to P-dendrimer compounds, but may be synthesized from other molecules with <NUM> or greater aldehydes upon reaction with polyamine compounds.

Non-limiting examples of the phosphorus based dendrimer core are shown in <FIG>.

Non-limiting examples of the starting materials for the polyfunctional aromatic linker are:
<CHM>.

The polyamine component of the solid sorbent may possess <NUM> or greater amine functionalities for the reaction with the aldehyde component. The amines may be commercially available and are cost-effective for synthesizing solid sorbents. Amines used to make solid sorbents through this method, but not limited to, are ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, tetraethylenepentamine, and linear and branched polyethyleneimines. Other amine compounds bearing additional functionalities may be employed to synthesize solid sorbents through the described method.

Non-limiting examples of polyamines are shown in <FIG>.

Various polyamine (≥<NUM> primary amines) may be reacted with polyaldehyde P-dendrimer compounds to form solid sorbents.

The sorbents described herein may be incorporated into composite materials. Non-limiting examples of composite materials are described below.

Surface: Composite materials were made using different carbon sheets with or without micro-porous layers. For each of these surfaces, the Hexakis(<NUM>-formylphenoxy)cyclo(triphosphazene)-PEI Complex and Kynar UltraFlex®B Resin were used. Commercially available carbon sheets comprising micro-porous layers used in this study are: Sigracet 10BC, 24BC, 25BC, 34BC, 10BA, and 24BA. Glass and metal surfaces (stainless steel) could also be coated.

Dendrimer: Using the Sigracet 24BC surface layer and Kynar UltraFlex®B Resin, the Hexakis(<NUM>-formylphenoxy)cyclo(triphosphazene)-Tetraethylenediamine Complex was used.

Resin: Using the Sigracet 24BC surface layer and Hexakis(<NUM>-formylphenoxy)cyclo(triphosphazene)-PEI Complex, various resins were analyzed. The resins tested were: Methocel and Kynar Flex® <NUM>.

While the following terms are believed to be well understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the following definitions are set forth to facilitate explanation of the presently disclosed subject matter.

"Alkyl" refers to a saturated, branched or straight-chain monovalent hydrocarbon group derived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a parent alkane. Typical alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyls such as propan-<NUM>-yl, propan-<NUM>-yl, and cyclopropan-<NUM>-yl, butyls such as butan-<NUM>-yl, butan-<NUM>-yl, <NUM>-methyl-propan-<NUM>-yl, <NUM>-methyl-propan-<NUM>-yl, cyclobutan-<NUM>-yl, tert-butyl, and the like. The alkyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted; for example, with one or more halogens, e.g., trifluoromethyl. In certain embodiments, an alkyl group comprises from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. Alternatively, an alkyl group may comprise from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms.

"Aryl" refers to a monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group derived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a parent aromatic ring system. Aryl encompasses <NUM>- and <NUM>-membered carbocyclic aromatic rings, for example, benzene or cyclopentadiene; bicyclic ring systems wherein at least one ring is carbocyclic and aromatic, for example, naphthalene, indane; or two aromatic ring systems, for example benzyl phenyl, biphenyl, diphenylethane, diphenylmethane. The aryl group may be substituted or unsubstituted, for example with a halogen.

"Halogen" refers to a fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo group.

"Heavy metal" refers to metals of environmental or health concerns. Examples of heavy metals in this disclosure: antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), bismuth (Bi), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), germanium (Ge), indium (In), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), osmium (Os), platinum (Pt), selenium (Se), silver (Ag), thallium (Tl), tin (Sb), uranium (U), and zinc (Zn).

As used herein the term "metal" includes metals of the periodic table such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), beryllium (Be), barium (Ba), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), cobalt (Co), gold (Au), uranium (U) and silver (Ag). The term metal encompasses metalloids or semi-metallic elements such as arsenic (As), selenium (Se), polonium (Po) and tellurium (Te). In preferred embodiments, metals of this disclosure include elements found either naturally in the environment or man-made contamination and with relatively high human, animal or environmental toxicity, such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr). As used herein the term metals includes heavy metals and rare earth metals (REE).

As used herein "rare earth metal" (REE) refers to Group III elements including scandium (Sc) and yttrium (Y). Specifically, REEs are cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

The term "solid support" means materials with a hydrophilic macroporous material, of either polymer or inorganic nature, may be used in the present. The solid support may be an acrylamide derivative, agarose, carbon, cellulose, chitin, chitosan, dextran, glass, magnetite, polyacrylate, polyacrylamide, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, silica, silicon, zirconia, alumina and combinations thereof. The solid support material may be in the form of porous beads, which may be spherical. Alternatively, the support may be particulate or divided form having other regular or irregular shapes. Other examples of suitable solid support materials include membranes, semipermeable membranes, capillaries, microarrays, monoliths, multiple-well plates comprised of alumina, alumina supported polymers, or polysaccharides. Solid supports of the present invention may be rigid or non-rigid flexible materials, such as a fabric which may be woven or non-woven. Suitable non-rigid flexible materials might be membranes (cast, non-woven, or micro- or nano-fibers produced with different techniques known in the art).

Throughout the present specification, the terms "about" and/or "approximately" may be used in conjunction with numerical values and/or ranges. The term "about" is understood to mean those values near to a recited value. For example, "about <NUM> [units]" may mean within ± <NUM>% of <NUM> (e.g., from <NUM> to <NUM>), within ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, ± <NUM>%, less than ± <NUM>%, or any other value or range of values therein or there below. Alternatively, depending on the context, the term "about" may mean ± one half a standard deviation, ± one standard deviation, or ± two standard deviations. Furthermore, the phrases "less than about [a value]" or "greater than about [a value]" should be understood in view of the definition of the term "about" provided herein. The terms "about" and "approximately" may be used interchangeably.

Throughout the present specification, numerical ranges are provided for certain quantities. It is to be understood that these ranges comprise all subranges therein. Thus, the range "from <NUM> to <NUM>" includes all possible ranges therein (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, etc.). Furthermore, all values within a given range may be an endpoint for the range encompassed thereby (e.g., the range <NUM>-<NUM> includes the ranges with endpoints such as <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, etc.).

As used herein, the verb "comprise" as used in this description and in the claims and its conjugations are used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded.

Throughout the specification the word "comprising," or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising," will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. The present disclosure may suitably "comprise", "consist of", or "consist essentially of", the steps, elements, and/or reagents described in the claims.

As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as "solely", "only" and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or the use of a "negative" limitation.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Preferred methods, devices, and materials are described, although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure.

The following Examples further illustrate the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope. In particular, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

All solvents and reagents were reagent grade and used as received. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis was run on silica gel plates purchased from EMD Chemical (silica gel <NUM>, F254). <NUM>H NMR and <NUM>P NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance (<NUM> for <NUM>H, <NUM> for <NUM>P). Chemical shifts are reported as parts per million (ppm) using residual solvent signals as internal standard (CHCl<NUM>, δ = <NUM> ppm for <NUM>H NMR). Data for <NUM>H NMR were presented as follows: chemical shifts (δ, ppm), multiplicity (s = singlet, d = doublet, t = triplet, dd = doublet of doublets, m = multiplet), coupling constant (Hz), and integration. The chemical shifts of peaks found were reported for <NUM>P NMR spectra. Fourier transformed infrared spectra were obtained on a PerkinElmer Spectrum 100FT-IR spectrometer on neat samples (ATR FT-IR). Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images were obtained using an FEI Quanta <NUM> variable pressure scanning electron microscope. Thermal stability measurements were conducted on a Mettler Toledo thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) using a <NUM>/min step to <NUM> under an air atmosphere. Nitrogen sorption isotherms at <NUM> were obtained with a Micromeritics ASAP <NUM> apparatus. Prior to measurement, the samples were degassed for <NUM> at <NUM>. The surface area was determined assuming a surface coverage of the nitrogen molecule estimated at <NUM>Å. Carbon dioxide sorption isotherms were obtained at <NUM>. Elemental Analysis was conducted on an Elemental Analyzer Flash <NUM> C/H/N/S instrument.

Procedure adapted from literature (<NPL>) and prepared as follows: To a dry <NUM> <NUM>-neck round bottomed flask was added potassium carbonate (<NUM>, <NUM> mol, <NUM> equiv. ) and <NUM>-hydroxybenzaldehyde (<NUM>, <NUM> mol, <NUM> equiv. The solids were dissolved in HPLC grade tetrahydrofuran (<NUM>, <NUM>) and heated to reflux via a heating mantle for <NUM> hours under a nitrogen atmosphere with stirring conditions. Afterwards the flask was removed from the heat and while warm, hexachlorophosphazene (<NUM>, <NUM> mol, <NUM> equiv. ) was added portion wise over <NUM> minutes and the mixture was left to stir under nitrogen for <NUM> hours. The solvent was then removed under rotary evaporation and the remaining solids were dissolved with <NUM> of chloroform and <NUM> of an aqueous <NUM> N NaOH solution. The organic layer was separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted <NUM> x with chloroform (<NUM>). The combined organic layers were concentrated under rotary evaporation to form a yellow solid. The solid was dissolved with <NUM> of hot ethyl acetate and left to recrystallize overnight. The product was isolated via vacuum filtration, washing with <NUM> of ethyl acetate, to yield white crystals of hexa(<NUM>-formylphenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene <NUM>-G<NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM>% yield). <NUM>H NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (t, J = <NUM>, <NUM>). <NUM>P NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s). Found: C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; N, <NUM>. C<NUM>H<NUM>N<NUM>O<NUM>P<NUM> Calc. : C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; N, <NUM> %.

Procedure adapted from literature (<NPL>) and prepared as follows: To a dry round bottomed flask was added <NUM>-G<NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) and chloroform (<NUM>, <NUM>). The mixture was cooled to <NUM> under a nitrogen atmosphere and while stirring, dichlorophosphonomethylhydrazide (<NPL>) (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) was added dropwise. The reaction was allowed to stir overnight and warm to room temperature. After judging the reaction complete via TLC analysis, the solvent was removed under rotary evaporation to afford a thick white oil. The condensed hydrazine complex was obtained as an off-white solid (~<NUM>) after precipitation in hexanes and vacuum filtration, while washing with hexanes. The intermediate compound was added to a dry round bottomed flask with <NUM>-hydroxybenzaldehyde (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) and the solids were dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (<NUM>, <NUM>). To the stirring mixture was added anhydrous cesium carbonate (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) and the reaction was left to stir overnight. After judging the reaction complete via TLC analysis, the solvent was removed under rotary evaporation and the remaining solids were dissolved with <NUM> of chloroform and <NUM> of an aqueous <NUM> N NaOH solution. The organic layer was separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted <NUM> x with chloroform (<NUM>). The combined organic layers were concentrated under rotary evaporation to give <NUM>-G<NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM>% yield) as a white solid. <NUM>H NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> - <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>). <NUM>P NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s), <NUM> (s). Found: C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; N, <NUM>; S, <NUM>. C<NUM>H<NUM>N<NUM>O<NUM>P<NUM>S<NUM> Calc. : C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; N, <NUM>; S, <NUM> %.

Procedure followed the synthesis pathway for <NUM>-G<NUM> using the modified conditions: for condensation step was used <NUM>-G<NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ), chloroform (<NUM>, <NUM>), and dichlorophosphonomethylhydrazide (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ); for the addition step was used <NUM>-hydroxybenzaldehyde (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ), tetrahydrofuran (<NUM>, <NUM>). , and anhydrous cesium carbonate (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. The desired compound <NUM>-G<NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> % yield) was obtained as a white powder. <NUM>H NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> - <NUM> (m, <NUM>). <NUM>P NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s), <NUM> (s), <NUM> (s). Found: C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; N, <NUM>; S, <NUM>. C<NUM>H<NUM>N<NUM>O<NUM>P<NUM>S<NUM> Calc. : C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; N, <NUM>; S, <NUM> %.

Prepared according to literature procedure (<NPL>).

<NUM>H NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). <NUM>P NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s). Found: C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; S, <NUM>. C<NUM>H<NUM>O<NUM>PS Calc. : C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; S, <NUM>.

Prepared according to literature procedure (Launay <NUM>).

<NUM>H NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (d, J = <NUM>, <NUM>), <NUM> (m, <NUM>), <NUM> (dd, J = <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). <NUM>P NMR (<NUM>, CDCl<NUM>) δ <NUM> (s), <NUM> (s). Found: C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; N, <NUM>; S, <NUM>. C<NUM>H<NUM>N<NUM>O<NUM>P<NUM>S<NUM> Calc. : C, <NUM>; H, <NUM>; N, <NUM>; S, <NUM>.

Example preparation of a cross-linked sorbent with TEPA: The sorbent preparation was carried out in round-bottom flasks under air atmosphere with commercially available polyamines. The sorbent preparation for each P-dendrimer and polyamine was optimized. For example, the synthesis of a sorbent prepared from <NUM>-G<NUM> and TEPA (termed <NUM>-G<NUM>-TEPA) proceeds as follows: To a <NUM> round bottom flask was added hexa(<NUM>-formylphenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene <NUM>-G<NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) and tetrahydrofuran (<NUM>, <NUM>). The flask was heated until all solids were dissolved and left to stir open to air. While warm, a solution of TEPA (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) in <NUM> tetrahydrofuran was added rapidly (under <NUM>) to the above stirring mixture. In under <NUM>, a white solid formed and was allowed to stir (or sit if the stir bar was frozen) for <NUM> hour. Then, the solids were isolated via vacuum filtration, washed with tetrahydrofuran (<NUM>), crushed with a mortar and pestle, and placed in a new <NUM> round bottomed flask. The solids were suspended in <NUM> of tetrahydrofuran and <NUM> of methanol while stirring open to air. To this mixture was added anhydrous sodium borohydride (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) at room temperature and the reaction was left to stir for <NUM> hours under nitrogen. The mixture was then filtered under vacuum and the solid obtained was washed with <NUM> of distilled water, <NUM> of methanol, and <NUM> of diethyl ether. The washings produced a white powder that was further dried under reduced pressure, resulting in <NUM> of <NUM>-G<NUM>-TEPA as a white powder.

Example preparation of a cross-linked sorbent with PEI: To a <NUM> round bottom flask was added <NUM> MW branched PEI (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) and tetrahydrofuran (<NUM>, <NUM>). The flask was heated until the solution was homogeneous. While warm, a solution of hexa(<NUM>-formylphenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene <NUM>-G<NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) in <NUM> tetrahydrofuran was added rapidly to the above stirring mixture. In under <NUM>, a white solid formed and was allowed to stir for <NUM> hour. Then, the solids were isolated via vacuum filtration, washed with tetrahydrofuran (<NUM>), crushed with a mortar and pestle, and placed in a new <NUM> round bottomed flask. The solids were suspended in <NUM> of tetrahydrofuran and <NUM> of methanol and anhydrous sodium borohydride (<NUM>, <NUM> mmol, <NUM> equiv. ) was added at room temperature. The reaction was left to stir for <NUM> hours under nitrogen and then was then filtered under vacuum and the solid obtained was washed with <NUM> of distilled water, <NUM> of methanol, and <NUM> of diethyl ether. The washings produced a white powder that was further dried under reduced pressure, resulting in <NUM> (<NUM>% yield) of <NUM>-G<NUM>/600PEI as a white powder.

Example preparation of a cross-linked sorbent composite material: A solution containing <NUM> of acetone and <NUM> of PVDF resin Kynar UltraFlex®B was sonicated in a water bath until the resin was completely dissolved. Then, <NUM> of the polyamine P-dendrimer sorbent was added and sonicated for <NUM> minutes for complete dispersion. The viscous mixture (comprised of <NUM> wt% binder) was then applied to the surface of a <NUM> carbon rectangular sheet in portion wise layers. Once the acetone had evaporated, further coatings were applied until a thick white layer of polymer was obtained. The final material was air dried for one hour to ensure complete dryness before testing. The total amount of polymer/resin bound to the carbon sheet totaled <NUM>. The composite material was adhered well to the carbon sheet, with an applied thickness of <NUM> in this instance. The thickness is directly related to the number of layers of the polyamine sorbent/resin mixture applied to the carbon sheet.

The solid sorbents prepared herein were characterized by CPMAS Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) imaging and Fourier Transformed Infared (FTIR) spectroscopy to confirm the successful reaction between the aldehyde and amine components via the reductive amination process. The organic content of the sorbent was determined through C/H/N Elemental Analysis (EA) and the thermal stability was determined with Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The surface and morphology integrity of the material was examined with Z-polarized confocal microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Surface area and pore size distribution characteristics were determined by N<NUM> isotherms. Although one solid sorbent is described in this invention disclosure, similar characterization data was obtained for other solid sorbents produced.

The sample's spectrum showed a variety of alkyl and aryl carbon peaks, at ranges of <NUM>-<NUM> ppm and <NUM>-<NUM> ppm respectively. No imine C=N peaks, which occur ><NUM> ppm, were visible. This evidence supports that PEI is covalently bound within the sorbent through stable C-N bonds, via reductive amination of intermediate imines consistent with the structure of <NUM>-G<NUM>/<NUM> PEI. The solid state 13C CP/MAS spectrum of <NUM>-G<NUM>/<NUM> PEI is shown in <FIG>.

The FTIR spectra of the P-dendrimer component, PEI component, and solid sorbent produced are shown in <FIG>. The solid sorbent FTIR spectrum is abscent the expected large C=O stretching signal (~<NUM>-<NUM>) and retains a large N-H stretching signal (<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>) from primary and secondary amines incorporated from PEI. The majority (><NUM>%) of the aldehydes from the P-dendrimer component were reduced through the process.

The results for the C/H/N Elemental Analysis are as follows:
<IMG>.

The sorbent was found to be stable up to <NUM>, where upon it underwent a <NUM> wt% loss event and gradually lost <NUM> wt% up to <NUM>. The sorbent is thus stable under the CO<NUM> capture conditions and can be regenerated at practical temperatures. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is shown in <FIG>.

The Z-polarized confocal microscope image showed large aggregated molecules that had some macroscale crystalinity. The particles are white in color.

Images obtained from an SEM were able to distinguish the aggregated particles up to <NUM>. No structural order, such as crystaline networks, were observed directly. See <FIG>9C.

The morphology of the sorbent was analyzed through N<NUM> adsorption-desorption isotherms. The N<NUM> physisorption gave a surface area of <NUM><NUM>/g, with a pore volume and pore size of <NUM><NUM>/g and <NUM>Å respectively. The sorbent has a low surface area due to the aggregate, non-crystalline structural integrity of the molecule. The N<NUM> adsorption-desorption isotherms are shown in <FIG>.

The sorbents prepared via P-dendrimer and polyamine cross-linking act as hydrogels. Hydrogels are polymeric materials that are hydrophillic and can swell significantly with water. <NUM> The solid sorbent prepared herein does not dissolve in water, nor in any liquid media (aqueous, organic, acidic, basic). The material absorbs water through hydrogen bonding with the polyamine compound, opening channels in the cross-linked matrix to fill with water. For example, a sorbent prepared was capable of <NUM> of water uptake per gram of sorbent. Altering the polyaldehyde P-dendrimer or the polyamine will effect the swelling capacity of the solid sorbent. Additionally, these sorbents were found to be extremely stable to acidic and basic conditions. No degradation was observed after submerging the material in either <NUM> N HCl and <NUM> wt. % NaOH in water for <NUM> days. The swelling of the material by water increases the surface area of the sorbent exposed to water, providing an opportunity for chemical species on the surface externally and internally of the sorbent to react with dissolved contaminants. The solid amine sorbents are constituted mainly by ethylenediamine repeating units (accounting for up to <NUM> wt. % of the sorbent's mass), which can act as chelating agents toward metals.

The heavy metal content of liquid samples before and after sorbent treatment was determined with a Thermo Series I inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) equipped with a concentric glass nebulizer, collision cell technology (CCT) and Peltier-cooled glass spray chamber. The removal efficiencies of the sorbents for individual and mixed heavy metal liquid samples was conducted via batch and chromatographic separations.

In a typical batch separation experiment, <NUM> of the heavy metal contaminated water was treated with <NUM> of the sorbent and left to stir for a set period of time (typically <NUM> hours). Upon completion, the solution was filtered to remove all traces of solids and the liquid metal content was analyzed via ICP-MS. In a typical chromatographic experiment, a glass fritted column was filled with <NUM> of solid sorbent (without packing). To this sorbent was added a flowing heavy metal contaminated solution and the treated liquid was captured at the end of the column. Upon completion, the solution was filtered to remove all traces of solids and the liquid metal content was analyzed via ICP-MS.

Evaluation of the sorbent's propensity to bind and remove heavy metals from water was initiated for Hg and Pb removal. Stock solutions of Hg and Pb at both <NUM> ppm and <NUM> ppm concentrations were batch treated independently with the P-dendrimer solid sorbent at various loading levels. The sorbent was suspended in the stock solutions and stirred over <NUM> hours, filtered, and the metal content of the treated solution was determined via ICP-MS analysis. Treatment of the <NUM> ppm Hg solution with the sorbent at <NUM>/L loading removed <NUM>% of Hg ions (<FIG>). Increasing the sorbent loading to <NUM>/L increased the removal to <NUM>%. At higher concentrations, Hg was capable of being removed at ><NUM>% efficiencies from <NUM> to <NUM>/L loading from a <NUM> ppm solution (<FIG>). Pb removal was more effective from both <NUM> ppm and <NUM> ppm solutions, with ><NUM>% removal efficiency observed for all sorbent loadings. No amount of Hg or Pb in water is considered safe, therefore ><NUM>% removal is always desired; which was achieved with the sorbent at <NUM>/L loading.

The effect of the sorbent loading and capacity of the sorbent to remove metals was expanded for Cu, Co, Fe, and Ni; naturally occurring metals that require regulation in ground water and are prevalent in waste waters. Treating contaminated solutions with the sorbent at <NUM>/L loading showed poor removal efficiencies for Cu, Co, Fe, and Ni (<FIG>). Increasing the loading to <NUM>/L improved the removal efficiencies significantly; Co was removed by <NUM>%, Cu and Ni by ><NUM>%, and Fe by ><NUM>%. A similar trend was observed when treating more concentrated solutions at <NUM> ppm concentrations (<FIG>). At <NUM>/L loading of the sorbent, only Hg and Pb could be removed by greater than <NUM>%, with Cu, Co, Fe, and Ni removal efficiencies falling below <NUM>%. Increasing the sorbent loading to <NUM>/L dramatically improved the removal efficiencies to desired levels with all metals removed by ><NUM>%. The results indicate that the sorbent binds metals at different rates, potentially dictated by the metal's Lewis acidity and ionized species at various pHs.

Rapid adsorption from the initial contact time of the sorbent to the contaminated solution is highly desired for water treatment processes. The kinetic results of individually adsorbing Hg and Pb at <NUM> ppm concentrations at pH <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Rapid adsorption was observed for both Hg and Pb by the solid sorbent. Within <NUM> minutes, <NUM>% of Hg and <NUM>% of Pb was removed independent of the sorbent loading level of <NUM>/L or <NUM>/L. After <NUM> minutes, <NUM>% of Hg and ><NUM>% of Pb was determined to be removed. After <NUM> minutes the metal concentration was depleted below <NUM> ppm and the binding of the remaining trace metals was slowed by diffusion kinetics. The rapid binding of Hg and Pb to the sorbent can be explained by the highly chelating nature of the sorbent, composed of repeating ethylenediamine units in a cross-linked matrix. Importantly, the swelling behavior of this sorbent allows for both surface and internal binding of the metals.

The effect of the contaminated water's pH on adsorption was investigated from highly acidic conditions (pH <NUM>) to highly alkaline conditions (pH <NUM>). The unique stability of this sorbent to harsh pH environments (see Section <NUM>) permits the opportunity for metal removal from harsh environments. Impressively, the results demonstrate that the sorbent operates with complete activity (<NUM>-<NUM>% removal) for Hg and Pb removal from pH <NUM> to <NUM> (<FIG>. ) For many sorbents, the pH of the solution is the most influencing parameter regarding a sorbent's capacity for removal. For example, at low pH (<<NUM>) HgCl<NUM> ionizes to Hg<NUM>+ along with chloride speciation. At higher pH (><NUM>), the main species is Hg(OH)<NUM>. Typically, sorbents are selective for one of these species and do not provide high removal efficiencies across the pH spectrum. This remarkable efficiency showcases the strong chelation effect of the P-dendrimer solid sorbent.

A mixed metal ion solution, where each metal was fixed at <NUM> ppm (total concentration of ions: <NUM> ppm), was treated with the sorbent to evaluate mixed ion competition for binding. The results showed the removal efficiency of Hg and Pb was maintained in the mixed metal environment, largely surpassing Cu, Co, Fe, and Ni removal efficiencies at <NUM>/L sorbent loading (<FIG>). The sorbent removed Hg and Pb with <NUM>% selectivity over the other heavy metal contaminants. Increasing the sorbent loading to <NUM>/L was able to bring the removal efficiencies of all the metals above <NUM>% except for Cu (<NUM>%). This result demonstrates that the sorbent could be effective to remove toxic metals (Hg and Pb) from aqueous sources even in the presence of other metal ions.

The solid sorbent is capable of adsorbing heavy metals, selectively releasing the metals, and being regenerated for additional adsorption experiments. This capability reduces the cost of the process by allowing the sorbent to be reused repeatidly while maintaining effective heavy metal removal. This process was demonostrated on <NUM> ppm Pb and Cu solutions through individual ion removal (<FIG>). After flowing the metal solution through the sorbent bed, the sorbent was found to remove ><NUM>% Pb and <NUM>% Cu. The metal-bound sorbent was regenerated by the addition of <NUM> N HCl to strip the sorbent of the metal and washed with water for deinonization. The sorbent maintained ><NUM>% Pb and ><NUM>% Cu removal efficiencies over <NUM> cycles of adsorption and regeneration. The effectiveness of the regeneration was visually observed by the dramatic color change of the Cu-bound sorbent (dark) to the free amine sorbent (white) (<FIG>).

A flow through experiment was designed to determine if this sorbent could actively removal heavy metals from flowing liquids instead of static absorption. A glass column (<NUM>" diameter) was loaded with <NUM> of loosely packed P-dendrimer sorbent. A <NUM> solution of <NUM> ppm of HgCl<NUM> in water was added at a rate of ~<NUM>/min to the column so that the entire solution had passed through the sorbent after <NUM> minutes. The top layer of the sorbent slowly turned gray over time as the solution was passed through, indicating mercury adsorption (<FIG>). The filtered water was collected and analyzed by ICP spectroscopy to find the treated solution's containing <<NUM> ppm of Hg, indicating <NUM>% removal. Additionally, the sorbent was found capable of removing a solution of <NUM> ppm Pb through this flow-through design with the same efficiency (><NUM>% removal) with the <NUM>/min flow rate. The sorbent was capable of removing Hg and Pb from a concentrated stream (<NUM> ppm) to below the EPA's regulatory limit for drinking water.

Arsenic is commonly found in water in the form of inorganic species As(V) or As(III). Arsenic has proven particularly challenging to remove through a variety of techniques, including coagulation and flocculation, precipitation, membrane filtration, ion exchange and adsorption. For example, activated carbon was only capable of removing a few milligrams of As per gram of carbon, therefore rendering this approach expensive and unpractical. Arsenic occurs in high concentrations in groundwater supplies, making removal from such systems of high importance. Dissolved As(V) and As(III) ions are saturated with oxygen species in ground water and cannot be removed by amine sequestration, however, these ions have a high affinity towards iron oxide surfaces. Iron oxides were embedded into the matrix of our solid sorbents to provide a material that can readily adsorb both As(V) and As(III) ions selectively from a modeled ground water solution containing other metal ions.

Iron oxides can be embedded within the polymer matrix of the P-dendrimer solid sorbents via impregnation with aqueous FeSO<NUM>, resulting in the binding of the iron molecules via amine coordination, and upon exposure to air the Fe(II) species were oxidized to Fe(III) oxides. The support of the Fe(III) oxides onto the sorbent was easily visualized by the change of color from white to reddish-orange, which indicates Fe(III) oxidation state. Analysis of the Fe/PEI-supported sorbent by FT-IR showed exhibited shifts indicative of Fe(III) oxide coordination (<FIG>, Panel A). SEM analysis displayed that the Fe-supported sorbent is constituted by irregular particles that agglomerate into larger aggregates, similar to RTI's unfunctionalized solid sorbent (<FIG>, Panel B). Results of acid digestion studies showed that the Fe content of the Fe/PEI-sorbent was <NUM>/g.

To a round bottomed flask was added <NUM> of water and the solution was bubbled with nitrogen gas for <NUM> hours. The flask was heated to <NUM> and <NUM> of FeSO<NUM>-<NUM><NUM>O was added while the solution was kept under a nitrogen atmosphere. After dissolution of the iron, <NUM> of the P-dendrimer solid sorbent was added, and the mixture was stirred for <NUM> hours. The solid in the media was converted completely from white to turquoise. The reaction mixture was filtered and the solids were allowed exposed to air for <NUM> hours, undergoing a color change to orange/red, to oxidize the Fe(II) species to Fe(III). The remaining solids were crushed with a mortar and pestle and washed with <NUM> of water to elute any unbound iron and dried under vacuum at <NUM> for <NUM> hours to afford the Fe/PEI-sorbent.

Batch testing for the As removal efficiency of the Fe/PEI-sorbent was examined on modeled ground brine water, which contained approximately As(III) (<NUM>,<NUM>µg/L), As(V) (<NUM>,<NUM>µg/L), B (<NUM>,<NUM>µg/L), Mn(II) (<NUM>,<NUM>µg/L), and NaCl (<NUM>/L) at pH <NUM>, and all metal analyses were determined via ICP-MS. Treating the brine water with the Fe/PEI-sorbent on <NUM>/L loading achieved <NUM>% As and <NUM>% Mn removal over <NUM> hours (<FIG>). The Fe/PEI-sorbent showed no affinity towards B and NaCl species. Treatment of the brine water with the unfunctionalized sorbent inversed the selectivity removing <NUM>% of Mn and <NUM>% of As, with no affinity towards B and NaCl (<FIG>). The majority of the Fe/PEI-sorbent's amine functionality is coordinated to Fe(III) oxides, leaving few amines available to bind to Mn, allowing the sorbent to be highly selective towards As species. The unfunctionalized RTI PEI-sorbent is a highly active chelator proving unsurprisingly effective to remove Mn from the brine.

The loading of the Fe/PEI-sorbent has a correlative effect on the As removal efficiency. Loading the sorbent above <NUM>/L provided As removal efficiencies above <NUM>% over batch testing (<FIG>). Decreasing the loading to <NUM>/L maintained an As removal efficiency of <NUM>%. The quantity of As that can be removed using the Fe/PEI-sorbent is directly associated to the iron content of the sorbent.

The batch As removal kinetics were rapid upon initial contact of the sorbent at <NUM>/L treatment loading (<FIG>). Within <NUM> minutes, over <NUM>% of the combined As species were removed, and at <NUM> minutes <NUM>% As removal was achieved. Extending the contact time to <NUM> hours resulted in <NUM>% As removal efficiency by the Fe/PEI-sorbent. After <NUM>% As removal at <NUM> minutes, a significant number of Fe(III) oxide active sites had been consumed by As ions. The reduced number of active Fe(III) oxide sites coupled with even greater diluted As ions presented diffusion limited adsorption. The rapid kinetics for As removal are highly promising for flow processes required for adding on the sorbent technology to the membrane system.

Additionally, the effect of the brine water's pH on the sorbent's As removal efficiency was examined via batch testing. Impressively, the Fe/PEI-sorbent maintained As removal efficiencies ><NUM>% across highly acidic (pH <NUM>, <NUM>% removal efficiency) and highly basic (pH <NUM>, <NUM>% removal efficiency) conditions (<FIG>). The predominate arsenate species at near neutral pH are HAsO<NUM> for As(III) and H<NUM>AsO<NUM>- and HAsO<NUM><NUM>- for As(V). At higher pH values the anionic arsenate species dominate affording higher associative values for removal by Fe(III) oxides. Importantly, the Fe/PEI-sorbent is effective for removing As within the common ground water pH range of <NUM> - <NUM>.

Two potential application pathways for this sorbent are as a one-time-use material, where an As saturated sorbent is disposed of in a landfill and replaced, or as a regenerative sorbent, where an As saturated sorbent can be regenerated by removing adsorbed As for repeated use. In either scenario, the sorbent must not leach As upon saturation. The potential for As leaching was examined first by treating <NUM> of As, B, and Mn brine water with <NUM> of the Fe/PEI-sorbent (<NUM>/L loading ratio). Over <NUM> hours the sorbent removed <NUM>% As from the brine water. Washing the filtered sorbent with <NUM> of DI water showed ~<NUM>µg/L of As leaching from the sorbent, while fractions collected after <NUM> of DI water washing reduced the leached As to less than <NUM>µg/L. The Fe/PEI-sorbent retains brine water via swelling of the polymer channels. The initial wash water replaces brine water trapped in the swelled polymer, accounting for the initially leached As. Importantly, the sorbent does not leach As from flowing water.

Regeneration of the Fe/PEI-sorbent was next examined. The sorbent was washed with <NUM> aqueous NaOH, and <NUM>,<NUM>µg/L As was observed in the initial wash fractions and less than <NUM>µg/L As was observed after <NUM> of the basic washing. Examination of the recycled sorbent by SEM and FTIR showed no distinct structural or chemical changes occurring from pre-treatment to post-regeneration. Treatment of a new brine solution with the regenerated sorbent via batch testing achieved <NUM>% As removal. Preliminary evidence of the recyclability of the Fe/PEI-sorbent is highly promising for its use as an As removal sorbent. To address the removal of Mn from the brine water, a brine solution was treated with an equal portion of the Fe/PEI-sorbent and the unfunctionalized PEI-sorbent in <NUM>/L loadings. The treated brine water showed <NUM>% As removal and <NUM>% Mn removal. The filtered sorbents were washed with <NUM> aqueous NaOH and exposed to a new brine solution. The removal efficiency of the recycled combined sorbent mixture was <NUM>% for As and <NUM>% for Mn. RTI's sorbent's can be engineered to posses both free amine and Fe(III) oxide functionalities to address both As and Mn removal based off the preliminary data.

Selenium (Se) is a naturally occurring element that plays vital roles in human cellular functions at trace levels, however, Se becomes toxic in high dosages. Due to its beneficial health effects, Se is allowed in drinking water up to <NUM> ppb levels, set by the EPA, with its concentration controlled strictly. Selenium enters drinking water commonly from agricultural activities, mining, industrial waste, and via flue gas desulfurization. <NUM> The most common forms of selenium that present the highest health risk are inorganic selenite-Se(IV), (SeO<NUM><NUM>-), and selenate-Se(VI), (SeO<NUM><NUM>- ). Technologies employed to remove aqueous selenium are based on coagulation, ion exchange, membrane filtration, and biological and chemical reduction. The wide-spread implementation of these technologies has been limited due to high operating costs, requirement of toxic chemical treatments, and toxic waste generation. <NUM> EPA's recommended technology involves Se precipitation with ferrihydrite, however, this method is not economical for removing Se below <NUM> ppb. <NUM> The use of iron oxides as adsorbents for selenium removal has attracted significant attention. <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM> Iron oxide nanoparticles, Fe<NUM>O<NUM>, frequently have poor stability, solubility and dispersion effects in solution, making the modification of the iron oxides into more practical forms sought after. <NUM> In <NUM>, Min and Hering used Fe(III)-doped alginate gel biopolymers to remove Se(IV) with narrow pH ranges. <NUM> In <NUM>, Zhang et al. doped granular activated carbons with Fe(III) oxides to achieve ><NUM>% selenium removal over <NUM> hours with pH ranges of <NUM>-<NUM>. <NUM> The use of modified polymers with iron oxides for selenium removal has not been reported to the best of our knowledge.

Three aqueous inorganic selenium stock solutions were prepared: <NUM>) <NUM> ppb Se(IV), <NUM>) <NUM> ppb Se(VI), and <NUM>) <NUM> ppb Se(IV) and <NUM> ppb Se(VI). Treatment of all these solutions with <NUM>/L loading of the iron-functionalized solid sorbent removed Se below the detection limit of the ICP-MS (<FIG>). This is the extremely promising for inorganic selenium removal. Treatment of the <NUM> ppb Se(IV) and <NUM> ppb Se(VI) stock solution with the unmodified sorbent achieved <NUM>% removal efficiency over <NUM> hours.

Selenous acid, which is formed from the exposure of selenium dioxide to water, is another potential contaminating source of selenium from industrial waste. Treatment of a <NUM> ppb (<NUM>/L) solution of selenous acid, H<NUM>SeO<NUM>, by the solid sorbent achieved <NUM> removal (Table <NUM>). Using the iron-modified solid sorbent, <NUM>% of selenium was capable of being removed.

Claim 1:
A sorbent comprising (a) iron II or iron III and (b) a polyamine phosphorus dendrimer (P-dendrimer) having the formula I
<CHM>
wherein W is a phosphorus based dendrimer core; X is a polyfunctional aromatic linker; Y may be present or absent and if present is a polyfunctional amino phosphoryl group linked to the polyfunctional aromatic linker; Z is an diamino alkyl group, a polyalkyl amino group, a polyethyleneimine having a Mw ranging from <NUM> to about <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>, or a polypropyleneimine; j and k are numerical values corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values independently range from <NUM> to <NUM>; and l is a numerical value corresponding to the branch point multiplicity and whose values ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.