4. Conclusions
ki (mgg−1 min−1/2) 0.80
1.73 3.43
R2 0.999
0.999 0.990
In this study, the postcrosslinked polymer and nonpolar porous polymer were prepared and MTBE adsorption onto the non- polar porous, chloromethylated and postcrosslinked polymeric adsorbents was investigated. The postcrosslinking reaction of the chloromethylated polymer results in increased surface area, abundant micropores and partial surface hydrophilicity in the postcrosslinked polymer, which leads to the markedly higher adsorption capacity for aqueous MTBE compared to nonpolar porous and chloromethylated polymers. Based on the correlation of the structural properties to the adsorption behaviors of the poly- mers, MTBE adsorption is concluded to be dominated by the pore structure and surface chemistry of the polymeric adsorbents. The abundant micropores as well as moderate surface hydrophilicity are favorable for MTBE adsorption onto the polymer. For adsorp- tion kinetics, MTBE adsorption onto the polymers follows the pseudo-second-order model. In addition, MTBE diffusion into the postcrosslinked polymer is controlled by the intraparticle diffusion due to the preferential adsorption of MTBE in the micropores.