Ion imprinted cryogels for selective removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions

Publication date: 31 May 2017
Source:Separation and Purification Technology, Volume 179
Author(s): Emel Tamahkar, Monireh Bakhshpour, Müge Andaç, Adil Denizli
In this article, ion imprinted poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) based supermacroporous cryogels were synthesized in the presence of a functional monomer, namely N-methacryloyl-histidine methyl ester (MAH), to be complexed with Ni(II) ions. Two types of cryogels (MIP1 and MIP2) were synthesized according to functional monomer/template [MAH/Ni(II)] complexing molar ratios. These cryogels were then characterized by swelling tests, FT-IR and SEM measurements and used for selective binding of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions and a certified material. The maximum adsorption capacities of MIP1 and MIP2 cryogels were found as 1.89 and 5.54mg/g, respectively. Ni(II) imprinted cryogels exhibited excellent selectivity toward competitive metal ions [Fe(III), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] indicating important potential for selective removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions. In addition, Ni(II) imprinted cryogels were used repeatedly without a decrement in the binding capacity.

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