Dendrimers represent an entirely new class of macromolecules. They are ideal for water remediation by chemisorption as well as absorption because they have dense terminal functionality and internal cavities. In this research, as raw material, we used 1,3-bis(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)urea, triazine trichloride, and diethanolamine to develop nanoscale hydroxyl-terminated triazine-based dendrimer up to generations three. FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and TEM measurements were used to characterize the structure of the dendrimer. In a series of experiments, full generation dendrimers G1, G2, and G3 were evaluated for Cu+2 and Cd+2 ions uptake from water. Copper and cadmium ion uptake capacity was studied over a variety of dendrimer generation, time and pH conditions. The overall results indicate an increase in generation, time, and pH, Cu+2 and Cd+2 ions uptake augmenting. FT-IR analyses of dendrimer-metal complexes confirmed the presence of metal in the dendrimer.
Graphic abstract
Keywords: Dendrimer; Synthesis; Carbamide; Triazine trichloride; Copper; Cadmium; Metal ion uptake; pH