Selective Removal of 3-Chlorophenol from Aqueous Solution Using Surface Molecularly Imprinted Microspheres

A simple method for selective recognition of 3-chlorophenol (3-CP) from aqueous solution has been developed using a surface molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as sorbent. Characterization of the obtained MIP was achieved by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Kinetic, thermodynamic, dynamic adsorption, and selectivity experiments were investigated in this study. Kinetic experimental data were well-described by the pseudosecond-order kinetic model. The obtained Arrhenius activation energy Ea from the kinetic data indicated a physisorption mechanism, and the negative values of ΔHo demonstrated that the adsorption of 3-CP onto MIP was exothermic. Equilibrium experimental data of MIP fitted the Langmuir isotherm well. The MIP showed outstanding affinity toward 3-CP in aqueous solution, and the optimum pH value for binding has been found around the neutral range. When methanol was used as eluent, the adsorbed 3-CP eluted easily from MIP. The total dynamic capacity of the imprinted sorbent was calculated to be 1137.58 mg·g–1. The breakthrough of 3-CP started after 60 mL, and the breakthrough capacity was 756.8 mg·g–1. Meanwhile, selectivity experiments demonstrated that MIP showed high affinity to target molecules over competitive CPs (2,6-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol).