Application of ion-imprinted polymer synthesized by precipitation polymerization as an efficient and selective sorbent for separation and pre-concentration of chromium ions from some real samples

Few-layer graphene-hybrid sulfonate hydrogels for high-efficient adsorption of heavy metal (Pb2+, Ni2+, Cd2+) in water treatment

Heavy metal ions pose a significant environmental threat due to their non-degradability and accumulation to toxic levels. In addressing this challenge, we have designed two novel hydrogels through radical polymerization, an efficient and cost-effective method, using sulfonate groups. One hydrogel remained pristine, while the other was hybridized with few-layer graphene (FLG). The incorporation of FLG interacts with the polymeric network without compromising its thermal stability, as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It also reduces pore size (from 42 to 35 µm), enhances mechanical properties (Young's modulus increased from 32 to 44 kPa), and increases the swelling degree (from 62 to 76), while maintaining a high adsorption capacity. The ability of both hydrogels to adsorb Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions was examined. These hydrogels demonstrated high adsorption capacity (qe), with maximum uptake of 631.7 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 633.3 mg/g for Ni²⁺, and 373.1 mg/g for Cd²⁺ in the pristine hydrogels (VBS) and 540.6 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 615.1 mg/g for Ni²⁺, and 304.9 mg/g for Cd²⁺ in the hybrid FLG hydrogels (VBS_G). Adsorption kinetics studies indicated a fit to the pseudo-second-order model for all metal ions. Adsorption isotherms showed that Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ follow the Freundlich model. To demonstrate reusability and regeneration, hydrogels with adsorbed ions were introduced into acidic media. Evaluating their performance in various water sources, the hydrogels showcased potential as efficient adsorbents for water purification and agricultural applications, offering a promising solution for contaminated water treatment.

Application Prospect of Ion-Imprinted Polymers in Harmless Treatment of Heavy Metal Wastewater

With the rapid development of industry, the discharge of heavy metal-containing wastewater poses a significant threat to aquatic and terrestrial environments as well as human health. This paper provides a brief introduction to the basic principles of ion-imprinted polymer preparation and focuses on the interaction between template ions and functional monomers. We summarized the current research status on typical heavy metal ions, such as Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), and Cr(VI), as well as metalloid metal ions of the As and Sb classes. Furthermore, it discusses recent advances in multi-ion-imprinted polymers. Finally, the paper addresses the challenges faced by ion-imprinted technology and explores its prospects for application.

Assessment soil cadmium and copper toxicity on barley growth and the influencing soil properties in subtropical agricultural soils

Evaluation joint cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) phytotoxicity in wide range of subtropical agricultural soils is highly vital for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with Cd and Cu. In this study, barley root elongation assays were performed in 30 representative soils in response to single and combined Cd and Cu inhibition. The single Cd caused nearly 50% inhibition of barley root elongation, and Cu induced more than 50% inhibition in most soils. Mixed Cd + Cu caused significant inhibition on barley growth with average relative root elongation values of 20.0% and 30.4% in soil with a pH < 7 and pH > 7, respectively. An antagonistic interaction was evaluated in combined Cd + Cu toxicity, which was strong in soils containing low soluble Cu and Cd contents. Soil pH was the controlling factor in predicting single and mixed Cd and Cu phytotoxicity, which could explain 44% and 46% variation of single Cd and Cu toxicity, respectively. Soil organic carbon and effective cation exchange capacity were another important factor positively influencing metal toxicity, which further improved empirical prediction models accuracy, with determined coefficient (r²) values of 0.44-0.84. These results provide a theoretical basis for soils Cd and Cu pollution control.

Co-precipitation polymerization of dual functional monomers and polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene for ciprofloxacin imprinted polymer preparation

Novel ciprofloxacin composite imprinted materials are synthesized by using co-precipitation polymerization of dual functional monomers (methacrylic acid and 2-vinylpyridine) and polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene. The intermolecular interactions between monomers and template are evaluated by molecular modeling analysis. The physicochemical properties of the obtained polymers are characterized using FT-IR, TGA, and SEM. Batch adsorption experiments are used to investigate adsorption properties (kinetic, pH, and isotherm). These polymers are employed to prepare the solid phase extraction cartridges, and their extraction performances are analyzed by the HPLC-UV method. DFT calculations indicate that hydrogen bonding and π−π stacking are the driving forces for the formation of selective rebinding sites. The obtained polymers exhibit excellent adsorption properties, including fast kinetics and high adsorption capacity (up to 10.28 mg g⁻¹) with an imprinted factor of 2.55. The Scatchard analysis indicates the presence of specific high-affinity adsorption sites on the imprinted polymer. These absorbents are employed to extract CIP in river water with recoveries in the range of 65.97–119.26% and the relative standard deviation of 3.59–14.01%. Furthermore, the used cartridges could be reused at least eight times without decreasing their initial adsorption capacity.

Ciprofloxacin imprinted polymers were prepared using co-precipitation polymerization of methacrylic acid, 2-vinylpyridine and polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene.

Fabrication of nickel-tagged magnetic imprinted polymeric network for the selective extraction of Ni(II) from the real aqueous samples

A new nickel ion, magnetic imprinted polymer was fabricated through the precipitation polymerization process, using amine-functionalized silica-capped iron oxide particles as a core material, and 4-vinyl pyridine as complexing agent methacrylic acid as functional monomer. The resulted magnetic adsorbent was employed to eliminate toxic Ni²⁺ ions from industrial wastewater. The different parameters were optimized, such as pH, shaking speed, and adsorbent dose, to obtain the maximum adsorption capacity. The synthesized material showed high selectivity coefficient for Ni⁺² ions in the presence of other competitive ions and followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm. A good adsorption capacity of 158.73 mg g^-1 was obtained at optimized pH 6 in the concentration of 5 mg L^-1 nickel ions aqueous solution. The limit of detection, quantification, and the percent relative standard deviation was found to be 0.58, 1.93, and 3.4%. This proves the excellent performance of prepared magnetic Ni(II) ion-imprinted polymer for selective detoxification of Ni²⁺ ions from real aqueous samples. Due to tunable magnetic properties, the prepared MMIPs are highly selective and sensitive and highly porous in nature; due to excellent magnetic properties, there is no need for centrifugation. Just use external magnetic field, it has good reusability. Showing preparation of Ni (II) imprinted magnetic polymer.

Study on Synthesis and Adsorption Properties of ReO4 - Ion-Imprinted Polymer

In this work, an ion imprinted polymer (ReO₄ ^--IIP) of the perrhenate ion based on acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) was prepared by solution polymerization using ReO₄ ^- as a template ion, N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) as cross-linkers, hydrogen peroxide-vitamin C (H₂O₂-Vc) as an initiator, and a mixed solution of water (H₂O) and methanol (CH₃OH) with volume ratio v(H₂O)/v(CH₃OH) = 3:7 as a solvent. During the process of synthesis condition investigation and optimization, the adsorption capacity (Q) and the separation degree (R) in the equimolar concentration mixture solutions of NH₄ReO₄ and KMnO₄ were adopted as indexes, and the obtained optimal conditions were as follows: the molar ratios of NMBA, NH₄ReO₄, AA, H₂O₂, and Vc to AM were 5.73, 0.052, 1.29, 0.02, and 0.003, and the temperature and time of polymerization were 40 °C and 28 h, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the sample with indexes, Q and R of 0.064 mmol/g and 3.20, were harvested. What is more, a further reusability study found that good adsorption selectivity was maintained after repeating the experiment 9 times. Taking the non-IP prepared under the same conditions as a control, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer Emmett Teller were used to characterize the structure of the ReO₄ ^--IIP prepared under the optimal conditions. Finally, the kinetic study results showed that the zero-order kinetic model could better describe the adsorption process. The thermodynamic study results showed that the Langmuir model was more suitable for describing the isotherm adsorption process of the IIP.

A Critical Review on the Synthesis and Application of Ion-Imprinted Polymers for Selective Preconcentration, Speciation, Removal and Determination of Trace and Essential Metals from Different Matrices

The presence of toxic trace metals and high concentrations of essential elements in the environment presents a serious threat to living organism. Various methods have been used for the detection, preconcentration and remediation of these metals from biological, environmental and food matrices. Owing to the complexicity of samples, methods with high selectivity have been used for detection, preconcentration and remediation of these trace metals. These methods are achieved by the use of ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) due to their impressive properties such as selectivity, high extraction efficiency, speciation capability and reusability. Because of the increase of toxic trace and essential metals in the environment, IIPs have attracted great use in analytical chemistry. This review, provide a brief background on IIPs and polymerization method that are used for their preparation. Recent applications of IIPs as adsorbents for preconcentration, removal, speciation and electrochemical detection of trace and essential metal is also discussed.

Phytotoxicity of Cu2+ and Cd2+ to the roots of four different wheat cultivars as related to charge properties and chemical forms of the metals on whole plant roots

The relationship between the chemical forms of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ adsorbed on the roots of different wheat cultivars and their phytotoxic effects on the plants were investigated. The wheat varieties Dunmaiwang (DMW), Tekang 6 (TK6), Zhongmai895 (ZM895), and Chaojixiaomai (AK68) were used. The zeta potentials of wheat roots, measured by the streaming potential method, were used to characterize root charge properties. Results indicated that the changes in zeta potential at pH 4.01-6.61 were 14.7, 15.53, 13.01, and 12.06 mV for ZM895, AK68, DMW, and TK6, respectively. The negative charge and functional groups on ZM895 and AK68 roots were greater than on DMW and TK6 roots, which led to more exchangeable and complexed Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ on ZM895 and AK68 roots and increased Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ toxicity compared to DMW and TK6. Coexisting cations, such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, and NH₄⁺, alleviated Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ toxicity to wheat roots through competition for adsorption sites on the roots, which decreased exchangeable and complexed Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ on wheat roots. The Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were most effective in alleviating heavy metal toxicity and they decreased exchangeable Cu²⁺ on AK68 roots by 39.14% and 47.82%, and exchangeable Cd²⁺ by 8.51% and 28.23%, respectively.

Fabrication and investigation of gold (III) ion-imprinted functionalized silica particles

Au (III) ion-imprinted mesoporous silica particles (Au-Si-Py) was manufactured by the condensation reaction of (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (AT)and 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (Py). The obtained AT-Py Schiff base ligand was then coordinate with the template gold ions and the polymerizable gold-complex was allowed to gel in presence of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and then the coordinated gold ions were leached out of the obtained silica matrix using acidified thiourea solution. During the synthetic steps, the obtained materials were investigated utilizing advanced instrumental and spectral methods. Moreover, the morphological structure of both Au (III) ions imprinted Au-Si-Py and non-imprinted NI-Si-Py silica particles were visualized using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Various adsorption experiments had been carried out using both Au-Si-Py and NI-Si-Py to examine their potential for selective extraction of gold ions under different conditions.