Synthesis and Characterization of a Surface Molecular Imprinted Polymer as a New Adsorbent for the Removal of Dibenzothiophene

A surface molecular imprinted polymer (SMIP) was synthesized by using dibenzothiophene (DBT) as the template, 4-vinylpyridine as the functional monomer, and modified potassium hexatitanate whisker as the carrier. The structural and textural properties of the product were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption. Different factors affecting the adsorption such as contact time, initial concentration, and temperature were investigated. Kinetic analyses were performed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models; the equilibrium data were fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich models, and thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated. It was determined that the SMIP exhibited high recognition selectivity and binding affinity to template DBT over the structure analogues. Moreover, the SMIP could be reused eight times without significant loss in performance; then the SMIP was successfully applied for the desulfurization of the gasoline sample.