Preparation and evaluation of a novel surface-imprinted polymer for selective adsorption of dibenzothiophene

We have prepared a novel surface molecular imprinted polymer (S-MIP) using dibenzothiophene (DBT) as the template molecule, 4-vinylpyridine as the functional monomer, and potassium hexatitanate whisker as the carrier. The S-MIP was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and and scanning electron microscopy. The kinetics and isotherms for the adsorption of DBT on the S-MIP followed pseudo-second-order and Freundlich models, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters were determined. The overall adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous. Selectivity studies showed that the S-MIP selectively adsorbs DBT over its structural analogs and can be regenerated. Its adsorption capacity was still at 84.8% at the sixth cycle.