Reusable and effective polyacrylic membranes for mecoprop and bentazon extractions

This study introduces reusable polyacrylic membranes, fabricated from commercially available monomers (1‑vinyl‑2‑pyrrolidone and methyl methacrylate), as a promising approach for pesticide extraction. These membranes effectively remove the commonly used herbicides mecoprop (RE ≈ 99%) and bentazon (RE ≈ 95%) at low concentrations, which pose water contamination risks due to their water‑soluble properties and leaf‑level sorption. The membranes exhibit excellent manageability and resistance, allowing for safe handling without personal protective equipment. The material is environmentally friendly and can be washed and reused for at least 4 cycles without a significant decrease in performance. Characterization (NMR, TGA, DSC, mechanical testing, N2 adsorption, FTIR) assessed properties and the influence of polymer composition, focusing on lateral charged aminoethyl groups that drive sorbent‑sorbate interactions. Sorption kinetics, isotherms, and permeation revealed hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions as key to removal, and molecular dynamics simulations showed a scorpion‑like polymer conformation around pesticides, supporting the extraction mechanism and the role of charged aminoethyl groups.

Gianluca Utzeri, José Carlos Guirado-Moreno, Tânia F. G. G. Cova, Alberto A. A. C. Pais, Luis A. E. Batista De Carvalho, Saturnino Ibeas, José M. García, Artur J. M. Valente, Saúl Vallejos