Preparation a Magnetic Molecular Imprinted Polymer for Specific Adsorption of Pharmaceutical Pollutants

Abstract

Amoxicillin (AMX) is an antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial and respiratory diseases in humans and animals. In this study, magnetically imprinted polymers (MMIPs) were successfully synthesized and characterized by the surface imprinting method to selectively separate AMX from an aqueous medium. The suitability of kinetic models and isothermal models for the adsorption of AMX from aqueous solutions using magnetic polymers was compared with an unprinted reference polymer (MNIP). The obtained data showed that the adsorption process is compatible with the pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. In addition, adsorption selectivity experiments were performed and it was found that the MMIPs exhibited excellent selective adsorption capacity for AMX. The MMIPs possessed an adsorption capacity of 134 mg/g for AMX and the imprinting factor was 2.23. The MMIPs were also recyclable and retained 86 % of their adsorption capacity after 7 cycles. Based on these results, the study provides a sustainable option in terms of high added value, environmentally friendly, flexible, safe, energy efficient and cost effective in terms of effective removal of pollutants and recycling of adsorbents.