Surface molecularly imprinted polymer prepared by reverse atom transfer radical polymerization for selective adsorption indole

The preparation of indole molecularly imprinted polymers (indole‐MIPs) using 4‐vinylpyridine as functional monomer, silica gel as matrix were used to adsorb indole from fuel oil specifically. The reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) technology was introduced to prepare the surface molecularly imprinted polymers, and the precipitation polymerization was adopted in the preparation process. The obtained indole‐MIPs were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that indole‐MIPs were provided with the larger surface areas and more pores. The adsorption capacity of indole‐MIPs was 31.80 mg g^?1 at 298 K, and the adsorption equilibrium was reached in a short time. The adsorption process was spontaneous by thermodynamic analysis, and an appropriate decrease in temperature could enhance the adsorption capacity. The adsorption process obeyed pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model by kinetics analysis. The isotherm analysis results show that both Langmuir and Sips equations were suitable to experimental data. The selective adsorption and reusable performance of indole‐MIPs were favorable. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40473.