Abstract: Utilising a general protocol for making surface-imprinted core-shell microparticles via a RAFT-mediated approach, we developed a Cu(II) imprinted polymer with a novel magnetic nanosphere, γ-Fe2O3@meso-SiO2, as support. Attributed to the controlled/living polymerization mechanism of the RAFT polymerization process, the Cu(II) imprinted polymer prepared by RAFT polymerization (IIP-RAFT) presented a more well-defined morphology, more mono-dispersed properties, and much higher magnetic responsiveness, compared to the Cu(II) imprinted polymer prepared by traditional free-radical polymerization (IIP-TP). Moreover, in the static saturation binding experiments, a higher binding capacity of IIP-RAFT (210 mg g-1) than IIP-TP (145 mg g-1) was also found. Afterwards, a series of adsorption experiments were carried out to systematically evaluate the adsorption performance of the as-prepared IIP-RAFT. And the results showed that IIP-RAFT exhibited excellent selectivity, good reusability and desirable dynamic adsorption behavior, and could be an ideal candidate for SPE sorbents for the removal of Cu(II) in real wastewater
Template and target information: copper ion, Cu(II)