DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v28i2.142

Keywords: Molecularly Imprinted Polymers, adsorption, divinylbenzene, fluorene

Abstract

Fluorene, a low-molecular-weight PAH, poses environmental hazards due to its persistence, toxicity, mutagenicity, and teratogenicity. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are widely used for the adsorption of organic pollutants, offering high selectivity, stability, and cost-effectiveness. This study aimed to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the fluorene adsorption performance of an MIP, including isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic analyses. The MIP was synthesized using a 1:4:20 mole ratio of fluorene, divinylbenzene (DVB), and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in acetonitrile via bulk polymerization. FTIR spectra confirmed the characteristic C=O stretching vibration of EGDMA (1735 cm⁻¹) and the benzene ring skeletal vibration of DVB (1628 cm⁻¹), while SEM analysis revealed uniform microspheres (~3510 nm). Optimal adsorption occurred at 15 min, with 20 mg MIP and an initial fluorene concentration of 1200 ppb. Adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics, with the MIP achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 13.5 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis indicated an endothermic reaction (ΔH∘ > 0) and spontaneous adsorption (ΔG∘ < 0).