An ion-imprinted functionalized SBA-15 adsorbent synthesized by surface imprinting technique via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization for selective removal of Ce(III) from aqueous solution

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2014-08, Vol.278, p.134-143
• Main Authors: Meng, Minjia, Meng, Xiangguo, Liu, Yan, Liu, Zhanchao, Han, Juan, Wang, Yun, Luo, Min, Chen, Rui, Ni, Liang, Yan, Yongsheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; Adsorbents; Adsorption; Applied sciences; Aqueous solutions; Cerium - chemistry; Chain transfer; Chemical engineering; Column study; Exact sciences and technology; Pollution; Polymerization; Rafts; Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization; SBA-15; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Solutions; Surface chemistry; Surface imprinting technique; Temperature; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.06.002

•Novel mesoporous surface ion-imprinted polymer was prepared by RAFT polymerization.•High selectivity and satisfied adsorption capacity for Ce(III) were obtained.•Ce(III)-IIP could be used as a potential adsorbent for Ce(III) removal in wastewater.•The dynamic column performance was firstly studied to adsorb Ce(III) by Ce(III)-IIP. A novel Ce(III) ion-imprinted polymer (Ce(III)-IIP) has been prepared by surface imprinting technique with reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization based on support matrix of SBA-15. The prepared adsorbent is characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, GPC, and TGA. The results suggest that the surface imprinted polymer synthesized by RAFT is a thin layer. For adsorption experiments, Ce(III)-IIP is investigated to remove Ce(III) by column study at different flow rates, initial metal ion concentrations, and adsorption temperature. The dynamic kinetics analyses reveal that the overall adsorption process is successfully fitted with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the equilibrium time was 60min. Meanwhile, the experimental data is in good agreement with Thomas model. Ce(III)-IIP has the excellent selectivity and regenerate property. Meanwhile, the proposed method has been successfully applied in the removal of Ce(III) in natural water samples with satisfactory results. All the results suggest that Ce(III)-IIP could be used as an excellent adsorbent for efficient removal of Ce(III) from aqueous solution.