Synthesis of bulk ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) embedded with oleic acid coated Fe3O4 for selective extraction of hexavalent uranium

Abstract

A selective and reliable method for the extraction of trace quantities of U(VI) by the use of a magnetic U(VI) ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) was developed. In this study, oleic acid (OA) coated magnetite nano-particles were incorporated into the cross-linked polymeric matrix of the selective sorbent, in order to gain the physical advantages of separating the polymers. Many physico-chemical factors influence the adsorption process; uranyl ion uptake ability based on these parameters was investigated. The optimum parameters obtained were sample pH 4, 50 mg of the magnetic polymer, a contact time of 45 min and an initial U(VI) concentration of 2 mg·ℓ-1. The adsorption capacities for the magnetic NIP and IIP were found to be 0.95 mg·g1 and 1.21 mg·g-1, respectively. The adsorption behaviour of U(VI) in the presence of other competing metal ions onto the cross-linked magnetic polymers was also examined in binary mixtures and the order of selectivity was found to be U(VI) > Pb(VI) > Ni(II).

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