Role of amination of a polymeric adsorbent on phenol adsorption from aqueous solution

Adsorption of seven phenols, one aromatic carboxylic acid and one sulfonated aromatic acid from aqueous solution, by a hypercrosslinked polymeric adsorbent (CHA-111) and the derivative animated by dimethylamine was compared. The results of different adsorption isotherms indicated that amino group on the polymeric matrix played a significant role on adsorption of almost all the employed compounds. For most employed compounds adsorption capacities increase to different degree and significantly for those with lower value of pK(a). It may be attributed to the enhanced adsorbent-adsorbate interaction for amino group introduced on the polymeric matrix. The empirical Freundlich isotherm equation was employed to interpret the adsorbent-adsorbate interaction. The adsorption enthalpy change indicated the uptake of phenols on MCH-111 to be an enhanced physical adsorption because of the hydrogen-bonding interaction. Adsorption kinetic study of phenols on CHA-111 and MCH-111 was also conducted and amino group on the matrix will reduce the adsorption rate for change of pore size distribution and loss of macroprous volume as well as the hydration effect on the surface partly.