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

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.