Strategic preparation of porous magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers via a simple and green method for high-performance adsorption and removal of meropenem

In this study, a facile method has been developed to synthesize a novel type of porous magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (Fe3O4-MER-MMIPs) for the selective adsorption and removal of meropenem. The Fe3O4-MER-MMIPs, with abundant functional groups and sufficient magnetism for easy separation, are prepared in aqueous solutions. The porous carriers reduce the overall mass of the MMIPs, greatly improving their adsorption capacity per unit mass and optimizing the overall value of the adsorbents. The green preparation conditions, adsorption performance, and physical and chemical properties of Fe3O4-MER-MMIPs have been carefully studied. The developed submicron materials exhibit a homogeneous morphology, satisfactory superparamagnetism (60 emu g−1), large adsorption capacity (11.49 mg g−1), quick adsorption kinetics (40 min), and good practical implementation in human serum and environmental water. Finally, the protocol developed in this work delivers a green and feasible method for synthesizing highly efficient adsorbents for the specific adsorption and removal of other antibiotics as well.