Preparation of water-compatible molecularly imprinted thiol-functionalized activated titanium dioxide: Selective adsorption and efficient photodegradation of 2, 4-dinitrophenol in aqueous solution

A novel water-compatible surface molecularly imprinted thiol-functionalized titanium dioxide (TiO2) material (CMIP-coated TiO2) was prepared in water, using 2, 4-dinitrophenol (2, 4-DNP) as template molecule and o-phenylenediamine (OPDA) as both functional monomer and cross-linker. The as-synthesized materials were characterized by FESEM, FTIR, XRD, BET and UV-vis DRS. Moreover, we have investigated the adsorption capacity, adsorption selectivity and photodegradation activity of the CMIP-coated TiO2 and non-molecular imprinted materials (CNIP-coated TiO2). Additionally, the effects of pH and concentration of 2, 4-DNP on the degradation rate of 2, 4-DNP were also investigated. Results showed that CMIP-coated TiO2 exhibited higher adsorption capacity, greater selectivity and faster photodegradation activity for 2, 4-DNP compared with the CNIP-coated TiO2. Meanwhile, the specific selectivity to 2, 4-DNP over its structural analogue 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and the enhanced photodegradation capacity were mainly attributed to the imprinted cavities on the surface of CMIP-coated TiO2. Taking advantage of efficient removal capacity, high reusability and no-additional chemicals in imprinted process, the prepared materials can be potentially applied to “green” removal of 2, 4-DNP in wastewater.