Polyethyleneimine/polydopamine-functionalized self-floating microspheres for caramel adsorption: Interactions and phenomenological mass transfer kinetics

•A novel syrup decolorizer with self floatability (EHGM/PDA/PEI) is fabricated and characterized.•EHGM/PDA/PEI has developed 3D-network porous structure and excellent adsorption performance.•EHGM/PDA/PEI represented great biocompatibility compare favourably with rice.•Adsorption mass transfer process can be described comprehensively by phenomenological models.•IGM analysis supplemented the interaction mechanism of EHGM/PDA/PEI and caramel docking.