Study on sorption of chlorophenols from aqueous solutions by an insoluble copolymer containing β-cyclodextrin and polyamidoamine units

A novel insoluble copolymer containing β-cyclodextrin (CD) and polyamidoamine (PAMAM) units was prepared, characterized and used as a sorbent for the removal of 4-chlorophenol (CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) from aqueous solutions. The effects of several operating variables such as pH and contact time were investigated. Results showed that the copolymer (PAMAM–CD) exhibited high sorption amount and acceptable sorption equilibrium time toward the three chlorophenols. The sorption amount of TCP was even up to 174.7 mg/g when the equilibrium concentration of TCP solution was 10 mg/L at 283 K. The order of sorption for the three chlorophenols was TCP > DCP > CP. The sorption kinetics followed both Ho–McKay and Weber–Morris equations. The equilibrium isotherm data were well fitted by Freundlich equation. PAMAM–CD was conveniently regenerated by washing with ethanol and it could be used as a promising sorbent.

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► A novel insoluble copolymer PAMAM–CD was introduced in this study as a sorbent.
► The polymer showed high sorption amount and short sorption time for three chlorophenols.
► The polymer was conveniently regenerated by washing with ethanol.
► The PAMAM–CD was a promising alternative sorbent.