Magnetically sensitive and high template affinity surface imprinted polymer prepared using porous TiO2-coated magnetite-silica nanoparticles for efficient removal of tetrabromobisphenol A from polluted water

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) has been considered as one of the persistent organic pollutants in water. It is urgent to determine TBBPA in environment due to its detriment to humans and aquatic species. However, sample pretreatment prior to instrumental analysis is always required because of the low concentration of TBBPA and the complexity of the matrix. A novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was prepared using magnetic mesoporous TiO2 as matrix. The mesoporous TiO2 layer could provide sufficient recognition sites for MIP, and Fe3O4 core can facilitate its separations from liquid medium. After azido was introduced onto Fe3O4@mTiO2 by non-covalent effect, alkynyl-terminated reversible addition − fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent was fixed by click chemistry. The MIP was prepared via RAFT polymerization in the presence of TBBPA using 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as functional monomer and crosslinker, respectively. The adsorption process reached equilibrium within 20 min. The maximum adsorption capacity of MIP for TBBPA at an ideal ratio of 4-VP and EGDMA was 41.67 mg g−1 and was much higher than that of non-imprinted polymer (20.92 mg g−1). The MIP also exhibits excellent affinity towards TBBPA in the presence of structural analogs. Additionally, the as-prepared MIP can be repeatedly reused due to the magnetic core.Graphical abstract