Recent advances on ion-imprinted polymers

Synthesis and characterization of a new ion-imprinted polymer for the selective separation of thorium(iv) ions at high acidity

A new ion-imprinted polymer (IIP), which was synthesized with bis(2-methacryloxyethyl) phosphate as functional ligand and Th⁴⁺ as a template ion, can be used in high acidity environment.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles for Formaldehyde Sensing with QCM

Herein, we report on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for detecting formaldehyde vapors in air streams. A copolymer thin film consisting of styrene, methacrylic acid, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) yielded a detection limit of 500 ppb formaldehyde in dry air. Surprisingly, these MIPs showed specific behavior when tested against a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as acetaldehyde, methanol, formic acid, and dichloromethane. Despite thus being a suitable receptor in principle, the MIPs were not useful for measurements at 50% humidity due to surface saturation by water. This was overcome by introducing primary amino groups into the polymer via allyl amine and by changing the coating morphology from thin film to nanoparticles. This led to the same limit of detection (500 ppb) and selectivity as before, but at the real-life conditions of 50% relative humidity.

Synthesis and application of a novel nanostructured ion-imprinted polymer for the preconcentration and determination of thallium(I) ions in water samples

A novel synthesized nanostructured ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) was investigated for the determination of trace amount of thallium(I). For this purpose, the thallium(I) IIP particles were synthesized using methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linker, methyl-2-[2-(2-2-[2-(methoxycarbonyl) phenoxy] ethoxyethoxy) ethoxy] benzoate as the chelating agent and 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator. The prepared IIP particles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Various experimental factors such as pH, the amount of IIP particles, sorption and desorption time, sample volume, elution condition, and potentially interfering ions systematically examined. Under the optimum conditions, a sensitive response to Tl(I) within a wide concentration range (0.05-18 μg L(-1)) was achieved. The limit of detection (LOD, 3Sb/m) was 6.3 ng L(-1). The maximum adsorption capacity of the novel imprinted adsorbent for Tl(I) was calculated to be 18.3 mg g(-1). The relative standard deviation (RSD) for eight replicate detections of 0.1 μg L(-1) of thallium(I) was found to be 4.0%. An enrichment factor (EF) of 100 was obtained by this method. The proposed technique was successfully applied to monitoring thallium in different water samples and the certified reference material.

Synthesis and application of ion-imprinted polymer for extraction and pre-concentration of iron ions in environmental water and food samples

In this work, a novel Fe(III) ion imprinted polymer as a sorbent for extraction of iron ions from different samples was synthesized. Precipitation of thermal copolymerization was used for preparation of polymeric sorbent. In this technique, methacrylic acid, ethylene glycoldimethacrylate, 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile and (DHBPT)2 {(DHBPT)2=3,6-bis (3,5-dimethyl-1-H-pyrzol-1-yl)-1,2-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine)} were used as monomer, cross-linker, initiator and ligand, respectively, in the presence of Fe(III) ions and ethanol as a porogenic solvent. Moreover, control polymer (NIP) particles were similarly prepared without the Fe(III) ions. XRD, FT-IR, SEM and nitrogen adsorption-desorption techniques have been used to characterization of these prepared polymeric samples. Iron ion imprinted polymer particles, abbreviated as Fe(III)-IIP, were leached with 50 mL of HCl (50% (v/v)). Absorption capacity for ion imprinted polymer was calculated about 40.41 mg·g(-1). Per-concentration of iron ion was investigated as a function of pH, weight of IIP, adsorption and desorption times, and volumes of sample. FAAS technique was used to determination of Fe(III) ion in the foods and waters samples.

A modeling study by response surface methodology (RSM) on Sr(ii) ion dynamic adsorption optimization using a novel magnetic ion imprinted polymer

In this paper, response surface methodology (RSM) was successfully applied to optimize the dynamic adsorption conditions for the maximum removal of Sr(ii) ion from aqueous solutions using Sr(ii) ion imprinted polymers (Sr(ii)-IIPs) as adsorbents.

Synthesis of a Ni(ii) ion imprinted polymer based on macroporous–mesoporous silica with enhanced dynamic adsorption capacity: optimization by response surface methodology

In this study, a Ni(ii) ion imprinted polymer (Ni(ii)-IIP) based on macroporous–mesoporous silica (MMS) was optimally synthesized using a response surface methodology (RSM) approach for enhanced dynamic adsorption capacity.

A novel ion imprinted SiO2 microsphere for the specific and rapid extraction and pre-concentration of ultra-trace methyl mercury

A novel MeHg ion imprinted silica microsphere was designed and synthesized for the specific, cost-effective and rapid pre-concentration of ultra-trace MeHg from natural water.

Selective Adsorption of Gd(3+) on a Magnetically Retrievable Imprinted Chitosan/Carbon Nanotube Composite with High Capacity

A novel magnetic imprinting nanotechnology for selective capture of Gd(3+) from a mixed solution of rare earth ions was developed by simply adding Gd(3+)-imprinted chitosan/carbon nanotube nanocomposite (IIP-CS/CNT) and silica-coated magnetite nanoparticle (SiO2@Fe3O4). The IIP-CS/CNT was prepared for the first time via a facile "surface deposition-crosslinking" method, exhibiting a well-defined coating structure. Interestingly, the neighboring IIP-CS/CNT monomers were held together as bundles, like a network, containing abundant interstitial spaces. When IIP-CS/CNT and SiO2@Fe3O4 were dispersed in a mixed solution of rare earth ions, the magnetic SiO2@Fe3O4 submicrospheres would be trapped in or adhere to the IIP-CS/CNT network, leading to the magnetization of IIP-CS/CNT; meanwhile, Gd(3+) ions could be selectively captured by the magnetized IIP-CS/CNT. Saturation adsorption capacity for Gd(3+) was up to 88 mg g(-1) at 303.15 K, which is significantly higher than the Gd(3+) adsorption capacities for the reported rare earth ion-imprinted adsorbents over recent years. The selectivity coefficients relative to La(3+) and Ce(3+) were 3.50 and 2.23, respectively, which are very similar to those found for other reported CS-based imprinted materials. Moreover, the imprinted adsorbents could be easily and rapidly retrieved by an external magnetic field without the need of additional centrifugation or filtration, greatly facilitating the separation process. Test of reusability demonstrated that the magnetized IIP-CS/CNT could be repeatedly used without any significant loss in binding capacity. Overall, this work not only provides new insights into the fabrication of magnetic imprinted CS-based composite, but also highlights its application for selective adsorption toward rare earth ions.

Highly selective monitoring of metals by using ion-imprinted polymers

Ion imprinting technology is one of the most promising tools in separation and purification sciences because of its high selectivity, good stability, simplicity and low cost. It has been mainly used for selective removal, preconcentration, sensing and few miscellaneous fields. In this review article, recent methodologies in the synthesis of IIPs have been discussed. For several applications, different parameters of IIP including complexing and leaching agent, pH, relative selectivity coefficient, detection limit and adsorption capacity have been evaluated and an attempt has been made to generalize. Biomedical applications mostly include selective removal of toxic metals from human blood plasma and urine samples. Wastewater treatment involves selective removal of highly toxic metal ions like Hg(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), As(V), etc. Preconcentration covers recovery of economically important metal ions such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium. It also includes selective preconcentration of lanthanides and actinides. In sensing, various IIP-based sensors have been fabricated for detection of toxic metal ions. This review article includes almost all metal ions based on the ion-imprinted polymer. At the end, the future outlook section presents the discussion on the advancement, corresponding merits and the need of continued research in few specific areas. Graphical Abstract IIPs for the selective monitoring of metals.

Preparation of core–shell ion imprinted nanoparticles via photoinitiated polymerization at ambient temperature for dynamic removal of cobalt in aqueous solution

In this work, novel core–shell ion imprinted polymers were firstly synthesized by photoinitiated polymerization (P-IIPs) for the selective separation of Co(ii) in aqueous solution.

Synthesis of novel ion-imprinted polymers by two different RAFT polymerization strategies for the removal of Cs(i) from aqueous solutions

In this work, two novel Cs(i) ion-imprinted polymers (Cs(i)-IIP1 and Cs(i)-IIP2) have been prepared by surface imprinting technique with different RAFT polymerization strategies based on support matrix of SBA-15.

Synthesis of surface ion-imprinted magnetic microspheres by locating polymerization for rapid and selective separation of uranium(vi)

New surface ion-imprinted magnetic microspheres are developed by locating polymerization for uranium(vi) adsorption with ultrafast kinetics and high selectivity.

A Facile Synthesis of Ion Imprinted Mesoporous Silica Adsorbents by a Co-Condensation Pathway and Application in a Fixed-Bed Column Study for Lead Removal

Highly selective lead ion imprinted mesoporous silica adsorbents (PbII-IMS) were prepared through a co-condensation pathway with 3-(γ-aminoethylamino)propyltrimethoxysilane (AAPTS) (PbII-IMS-NN) and 3-aminepropyltriethoxysilyl (APTES) (PbII-IMS-N) as monomers. The prepared adsorbents were characterised by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, power X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption techniques. The results showed that the synthesised adsorbents presented a highly ordered mesoporous structure. In comparison with PbII-IMS-N, PbII-IMS-NN demonstrated a higher adsorption capacity in a series of static and dynamic adsorption experiments, and was further applied to a continuous fixed-bed column study under different conditions. It was found that the breakthrough time of the fixed-bed increased with an increase in bed depth, but decreased with increased flow rate and initial PbII concentration, and the dynamic adsorption data was more consistent with the Thomas model than the Adams–Bohart model. Furthermore, the PbII-IMS-NN showed a greater recognition and binding affinity towards the target lead ions than PbII-IMS-N.

Selective adsorption of Cu(ii) from an aqueous solution by ion imprinted magnetic chitosan microspheres prepared from steel pickling waste liquor

To reduce costs and improve practicability, IMCS was synthesized through co-precipitation using steel pickling waste liquor and chitosan and Cu(ii) as template ions, which was then characterized by TEM, SEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD and VSM.

Introduction and demonstration of a novel Pb(II)-imprinted polymeric membrane with high selectivity and reusability for treatment of lead contaminated water

Lead contaminant in water has become an issue of great concern due to its high toxicity and easy accumulation in human body. In this study, a novel Pb(II)-imprinted polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) membrane (Pb-IM) was prepared based on semi-interpenetrating polymer network for selective lead removal. The chemical stability and lead adsorption performance of the Pb-IM were evaluated. The results revealed that the Pb-IM exhibited high adsorption capacity of 1.003mmol/g for lead, fast adsorption equilibrium within 1.5h, and the adsorption process obeyed Langmuir isotherm model and intraparticle pore diffusion model. The Pb-IM retained high adsorption of lead in the presence of competitive factor, i.e. cadmium. In comparison with non-imprinted PVA/PAA membrane, the Pb-IM possessed a much higher selectivity toward lead versus cadmium, with selectivity coefficient of 70.7. Furthermore, the Pb-IM displayed a high reusability for lead uptake and could maintain 96.32% of the adsorption capacity of virgin Pb-IM after six adsorption/desorption cycles. The FTIR and XPS analyses indicated that carboxyl groups in PAA and hydroxyl groups in PVA were mainly associated with the lead adsorption. Finally, the stability study showed that Pb-IM was quite stable and suitable for water treatment. It can be concluded that the Pb-IM can be provided as a powerful material for the selective removal of lead from aqueous solution.

A new ion imprinted polymer based on Ru(III)-thiobarbituric acid complex for solid phase extraction of ruthenium(III) prior to its determination by ETAAS

A new ruthenium ion imprinted polymer was prepared from the Ru(III) 2-thiobarbituric acid complex (the template), methacrylic acid or acrylamide (the functional monomers), and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (the cross-linking agent) using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as the radical initiator. The ion imprinted polymer was characterized and used as a selective sorbent for the solid phase extraction of Ru(III) ions. The effects of type of functional monomer, sample volume, solution pH and flow rate on the extraction efficiency were studied in the dynamic mode. Ru(III) ion was quantitatively retained on the sorbents in the pH range from 3.5 to 10, and can be eluted with 4 mol L⁻¹ aqueous ammonia. The affinity of Ru(III) for the ion imprinted polymer based on the acrylamide monomer is weaker than that for the polymer based on the methacrylic acid monomer, which therefore was used in interference studies and in analytical applications. Following extraction of Ru(III) ions with the imprint and their subsequent elution from the polymer with aqueous ammonia, Ru(III) was detected by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a detection limit of 0.21 ng mL⁻¹. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of Ru(III) in water, waste, road dust and platinum ore (CRM SARM 76) with a reproducibility (expressed as RSD) below 6.4 %.

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Synthesis and investigation of the imprinting efficiency of ion imprinted nanoparticles for recognizing copper

The component ratio of template ions and the crosslinking agent determine the morphology and imprinting efficiency of IIPs.

Synthesis, characterization and application of uranyl ion imprinted polymers of aniline and 8-hydroxy quinoline functionalized aniline

Imprinted homopolymer of uranyl ion with aniline (IPAN) and imprinted copolymer with aniline and 8-hydroxyquinoline functionalized aniline (IFPAN) were synthesized. These polymers upon leaching, (IPAN_L and IFPAN_L), give materials suitable for rebinding of uranyl ion selectively from aqueous samples.

Hg2+ion-imprinted polymers sorbents based on dithizone–Hg2+chelation for mercury speciation analysis in environmental and biological samples

Novel Hg²⁺ion-imprinted polymers were synthesized using the chelate of dithizone and Hg²⁺as template for mercury speciation analysis.