Selective removal of As(III) using magnetic graphene oxide ion-imprinted polymer in porous media: Potential effect of external magnetic field

A novel surface-ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) was prepared using As(III) as template, and Fe3O4/GO as support. Adsorption behavior was studied. The fitted maximum adsorption capacity of MGO-As(III)-IIP was 49.42 mg/g. MGO-As(III)-IIP showed stable dispersive properties and great reusability in solution with an adsorption efficiency of 75% after five cycles of regeneration and reuse. MGO-As(III)-IIP indicated high selectivity under the presence of other competitive components. The binding characteristics of imprinted polymers were evaluated with the Scatchard model. Simulated column experiments with different material concentrations showed the effect of the sustained adsorption of As(III) in aquifers and the migration and residue of MGO-As(III)-IIP under external magnetic field. The adsorption effects of MGO-As(III)-IIP on 10 PV arsenic-contaminated water with a concentration of 2 mg/L were 49.76%, 68.57%, 80.74%, and 84.54%, and the recycling efficiency reached 27.1%, 34.5%, 41.1%, and 49.8%. Compared with the previous materials, the removal efficiency is greatly improved. MGO-As(III)-IIP has great potential to be used as a mobile and recyclable material for in-situ treatment of As(III) in groundwater.