DMAEMA-grafted cellulose as an imprinted adsorbent for the selective adsorption of 4-nitrophenol

Abstract 4-Nitrophenol is a highly toxic environmental pollutant. It challenge to selectively remove it from mixture of various pollutants. Herein, we report study on the selective adsorption 4-nitrophenol by using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). The polymer was synthesized cellulose as framework, onto which, complex imprinting molecule (i.e., 4-nitrophenol) and candidate material [namely, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate. DMAEMA] grafted. obtained MIP showed an excellent capacity with good selectivity. Also, fast adsorbent exhibited recyclability. thermodynamics kinetics process thoroughly studied, where otherwise-equivalent non-imprinted used control in experiments. selectivity for 4-niteophenol evaluated two types experiments: (1) experiments single-component adsorbate systems (containing 4-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, catechol, or hydroquinone), (2) competitive binary plus either catechol hydroquinone). coefficient 4-nitrophenols twice those other phenols (that were all around 2), indicative extent affinity MIPs these phenolic compounds. recyclability 5 adsorption–desorption cycles, last cycle remained over 90.2% that first cycle. Graphic