Synthesis and characterization of ion imprinted polymeric adsorbents for the selective recognition and removal of arsenic and selenium in wastewater samples

Abstract

Arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) ion imprinted polymers, As-IIPs and Se-IIPs, were synthesized via bulk polymerization. The prepared materials were then characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). These characterization methods confirmed the difference between IIPs and non-imprinted polymers (NIP). From the adsorption studies done IIPs did not only show better adsorption than NIPs but also better selectivities as well. As adsorption using As-IIPs (AsAsIIPs) reached a maximum of 482 μg g−1 whilst Se adsorption using Se-IIPs (SeSeIIPs) reached a maximum of 447 μg g−1 after optimization of the sample pH, adsorption time and sample temperature. However these adsorption capacities were increased to 568 μg g−1 and 530 μg g−1 for As and Se respectively when column experiments were done at the same sample temperature and pH. Against Pb, Cd and Hg, As-IIPs and Se-IIPs showed selectivity towards As and Se, respectively.