Extractive separation of Profenofos as an organophosphorous insecticide from wastewater and plant samples using molecular imprinted cellulose

A new selective molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) for solid phase extraction of profenofos (PFF) from aqueous solutions was synthesized by acrylonitrile grafted cotton fibers with hydrazine hydrate in presence of PFF as a template and glutraldhyde as a cross linker. The properties and structure of MIP was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis (EA). Furthermore, the extracted PFF was detected by gas chromatography (GC). Various parameters such as (pH, contact time, temperature, initial concentration of PFF and also washing eluent composition) affecting the extraction efficiency was evaluated to investigate the selectivity and preconcentration from different matrices. Kinetic studies revealed that pseudo second order kinetic equation is the best model describes the adsorption behavior of PFF on MIP. Moreover, the obtained thermodynamic parameters (Delta G(0) < 0, Delta H-0 > 0, Delta S-0 > 0) indicated a spontaneous and endothermic reaction. Furthermore, the maximum sorption capacity was 17.24 mg g(-1). Under the experimental work conditions, limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 0.294 mg L-1 and 0.98 mg L-1, respectively. Finally, the proposed imprinted polymer was successfully applied for the extraction of PFF from wastewater and commercial plant samples. The recoveries of PFF were in the range between 94 and 104% with relative standard deviations (RSD) less than 5.0%.