Synthesis and characterization of a new copper(II) ion-imprinted polymer

In this study, a new copper(II) ion-imprinted polymer (Cu(II)-IIP) was synthesized by the precipitation method. Itaconic acid, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile were used as functional, cross-linking monomer and a free-radical initiator, respectively. This polymer has been characterized on the basis of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and surface area measurements. The imprinted Cu(II) ions were completely removed from the polymer by leaching with the mixture of 0.1 M EDTA and 1 M HCl. The optimum pH for the adsorption of Cu(II) on to the polymer was 6. The selective performance of the polymer was compared to non-imprinted polymer (NIP) for the binary mixture Cu²⁺/Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺/Zn²⁺. The relative selectivity of Cu(II)-IIP was 12.8 and 32.4 times greater than that of NIP as compared with the Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions, respectively. At optimal pH value, the maximum static adsorption capacity of Cu(II)-IIP and NIP was found to be 14.8 and 4.08 mg/g, respectively.