Ion-imprinted polymer for selective separation of cobalt, cadmium and lead ions from aqueous media

Ion-imprinting polymers (IIPs) materials draw the great awareness because of the powerful selectivity to the desired metal ions. Thus, the IIPs were prepared by using metals such as Co, Cd and Pb ions with modified curcumin as a functional monomer used for a complexing agent, in addition, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) are crosslinking agent and free radical generator, respectively. Aqueous HCl was used to leach the metal ions from the imprinted polymer for the creation of template cavities, which is further utilized for metal ions adsorption with high selectivity. The IIPs were characterized using the FT-IR, ICP-MS, FE-SEM and also solid state analysis by UV-vis NIR spectroscopy to con?rmed the complex formation. The optimum pH was found to be 6 and highest adsorption capacity Q was estimated, 106, 85 and 113 mg g(-1) for Co-IIP, Cd-IIP and Pb-IIP, respectively. Thus, the prepared IIPs gave very good selectivity to the metal ions such as Co, Cd and Pb in presence of other metal ions. Regeneration study confirmed the IIPs can be reused 10 times without a substantial loss in adsorption capacity.