pH-responsive molecularly imprinted polymer for sorption and rapid desorption of dibutyl phthalate

The pH-responsive molecularly imprinted polymers (SR-MIPs) for the removal of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were obtained. The polymers were synthesized using methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, divinylbenzene, and a template mixed at different ratios allowing to optimize the process. The so-prepared SR-MIPs were evaluated at various pH values in processes of DBP sorption. The studies covered evaluation of uptake capacity, sorption kinetics, selectivity, and elution. The imprinted samples are characterized by improved factors comparing to their non-imprinted analogues, revealing also pH-sensitivity. The highest removal of DBP (130 mg g−1) was achieved at pH = 6, while pH-driven desorption (90%) was the most efficient at pH = 8.