Grafting molecularly imprinted poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) onto the surface of carbon microspheres

► Molecularly imprinted polymer on carbon microsphere surface was obtained for adsorbing dibenzothiophene. ► The optimized conditions of grafting poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) were obtained. ► The dynamic adsorption efficiency was 46%. ► This novel surface molecular imprinted material with priority adsorption is of importance for deep desulfurization of oil.