Synthesis, characterization, and adsorption performance of Pb(II)-imprinted polymer in nano-TiO2 matrix

Surface ion-imprinted in combination with sol-gel process was applied to synthesis a new Pb(II)-imprinted polymer for selective separation and enrichment of trace Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The prepared material was characterized by using the infrared spectra, X-ray diffractometer, and scanning electron microscopy. The batch experiments were conducted to study the optimal adsorption condition of adsorption trace Pb(II) from aqueous solutions on Pb(II)-imprinted polymer. The equilibrium was achieved in approximately 4.0 h, and the experimental kinetic data were fitted the pseudo second-order model better. The maximum adsorption capacity was 22.7 mg/g, and the Langmuir equation fitted the adsorption isotherm data. The results of selectivity experiment showed that selectively adsorbed rate of Pb(II) on Pb(II)-imprinted polymer was higher than all other studied ions. Desorption conditions of the adsorbed Pb(II) from the Pb(II)-imprinted polymer were also studied in batch experiments. The prepared Pb(II)-imprinted polymer was shown to be promising for the separation and enrichment of trace Pb(II) from water samples. The adsorption and desorption mechanisms were proposed.