Synthesis of Zn(II) Ion-Imprinted Polymeric Adsorbent for Selective Removal of Zinc from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

In this study, Zn(II)-imprinted polymer microbeads were synthesized for selective removal of Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. The microbeads were prepared using methacrylic acid and 1,4-vinyl pyrrolidone as functional monomers, zinc(II)acetate as zinc salt, ethylene glycol dimethacyrlate as a cross-linking agent, azo bisisobutyronitrile as an initiator and hydroxyethyl cellulose as surfactant. The non-imprinted polymer was also prepared for comparison, except without use of the Zn(II) salt. To determine the selectivity of Zn(II)-IIP beads, competitive adsorption experiments were investigated. According to the adsorption capacity values of the microbeads, Zn(II)-IIP beads show good selectivity for the target ion.