Abstract
Poly(styrene–divinylbenzene)/Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@St–DVB) magnetic porous polymer microspheres based on suspension polymerization were prepared for adsorption of 2, 4-dichlorophenol (2, 4-DCP) and 2, 6-dichlorophenol (2, 6-DCP) from aqueous solution. The as-prepared product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis and elemental analysis. The results showed that the composite material has both porous and magnetic characteristics, which aid in faster separation and increase in adsorption capacity. The adsorption performance of the Fe3O4@(St–DVB) magnetic porous microspheres was manifested by batch mode adsorption experiments with respect to pH, initial concentration, contact time and temperature. The adsorbent was found to be sensitive to changes in pH, and the adsorption capacity of 2, 4-DCP is higher than that of 2, 6-DCP. The kinetics experimental data fitted well with the pseudo-second-order model, as three steps belonged to the pseudo-second-order adsorption process. The adsorption isotherms were also described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, respectively. It was found that the Langmuir isotherm model fitted the equilibrium data superior to the Freundlich model. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated by the Gibbs free energy function, confirming that adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. In addition, the reusability performance of the Fe3O4@(St–DVB) magnetic porous microspheres was demonstrated by four repeated cycles.