Polyallylamine-conjugated thermo-responsive polymers for the rapid removal of phenolic compounds from water

Polyallylamine-conjugated thermo-responsive polymer (PNIPAAm-PAA) was readily prepared by the condensation of polyallylamine and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide. The synthesized polymer was water-soluble below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST, ca. 34 °C) but deposited to form a condensed coagulate by heating the solution above the LCST. In the presence of phenol oxidation enzymes, phenolic compounds was oxidized and spontaneously bound to the amino group of PNIPAAm-PAA. Almost complete removal of 300 mg l−1 phenol was achieved by the use of 1 g l−1 PNIPAAm-PAA. However, long time was required for the oxidation of phenol by using mushroom tyrosinase. On the other hand, combined use of horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxidase allowed rapid phenol removal. Furthermore, the proposed method was applicable to the removal of a wide range of phenolic compounds including estrogenic hormones. The applicability to wastewater treatment was successfully demonstrated using spiked effluents.