Preparation and Characterization of Modifed PEEK-WC: DEHPA Microspheres for Rhodamine B Adsorption. Kinetics Studies

Functionalized polymeric microspheres based on a modifed polyether ether keetone (PEEK-WC) using immersion precipitation techniques were successfully prepared by doping initial polymeric solutions with DEHPA. The viscosity of the doping solution was measured for determining the optimal value for obtaining reproducible capsules. The modifed microspheres were characterized by several techniques such as SEM, BET and porometer. From the results, meso-porous microspheres with a small tail were obtained characterized by an asymmetric structure and a diameter varying from 50 µm to around 1400 µm. The produced microspheres have been used efciently for Rhodamine B adsorption in a column system with extraction efciency of 99%.Moreover, the modifed microspheres could be regenerated with high efciency and a good reusability after 9 cycles of sorption and desorption. The adsorption kinetics, of Rhodamine B by the produced microspheres, was best represented by the pseudo-second-order kinetics model which confrms a chemisorption mechanism. However, the results of the intra-particle model reveal that the sorption of Rhodamine B onto the microspheres is a combination between the chemisorption and intraparticle diffusion. The fndings of this study provide novel information for the development of new polymeric microspheres adsorbents towards dyes for potential applications for example in wastewater textile treatment.