Synthesis of boric acid-functionalized microspheres and their adsorption properties for flavonoids

Abstract Poly(styrene–divinylbenzene)-based adsorption resin has the advantages of high specific surface area, adjustable pore size and other advantages, and has been widely used in the separation and purification of natural products and sewage treatment. However, its adsorption selectivity for specific compounds is poor. Therefore, to improve the selectivity of poly(styrene–divinylbenzene), the boric acid–functionalized monodisperse poly(styrene–divinylbenzene) was synthesized by seed swelling method by adding boric acid–functionalized polymerized monomer in the swelling stage. The static adsorption results showed that this polymer was pH–responsive. When pH>9.5, the adsorption reached the maximum, and it could be desorbed with a pH