Sorption in the chemistry of rare earth elements

Sorption methods for the concentration and separation of rare earth elements are reviewed. Sorbents based on organic polymers, specifically strongly and weakly acidic cation exchangers, anion exchangers, and complexing sorbents, are successively considered. Data on the use of inorganic sorbents and solid phase extractants in the rare earth chemistry are also given. Considerable attention is paid to hybrid organomineral materials constituting a promising class of sorbents. Advantages and disadvantages of using biosorbents, molecularly imprinted sorbents, and nanosorbents for the concentration and separation of rare earths are discussed.     

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction: Synthesis,Characterization, and Application

Stir bar sorptive extraction is widely used for the preconcentration of organic and inorganic compounds due to its simplicity and versatility. However, commercially available devices are based on nonselective sorbents. Molecularly imprinted polymers provide selective recognition abilities from the template employed during their preparation. In this review, strategies employed for recent for molecularly imprinted polymers employed in stir bar sorptive extraction are described. The advantages and disadvantages are described, as well as future trends involving this preconcentration methodology.     

Hypercrosslinked strong anion‐exchange resin for extraction of acidic pharmaceuticals from environmental water

Two novel high‐specific surface area polymeric sorbents (HXLPP‐SAXa and HXLPP‐SAXb) were synthesised and evaluated as solid‐phase extraction sorbents. The novel sorbents under study are based on hypercrosslinked polymer microspheres and designed specifically to offer ion‐exchange properties; the specific polymers of interest in the current work have been chemically modified in such a way as to impart a tuneable level of strong anion‐exchange character onto the sorbents. The novel sorbents were applied as strong anion‐exchange sorbents in solid‐phase extraction studies, with the goal being to selectively extract a group of acidic compounds from complex environmental samples in an efficient manner. Out of two HXLPP‐SAX resins evaluated in this study, it was found that the sorbent with the lower ion‐exchange capacity (HXLPP‐SAXa) gave rise to the best overall performance characteristics and, indeed, was found to compare favourably to the solid‐phase extraction performance of commercial strong anion‐exchange sorbents. When the HXLPP‐SAXa sorbent was applied to the solid‐phase extraction of environmental water samples, the result showed quantitative and selective extraction of low levels of acidic pharmaceuticals from 500 mL of river water and 100 mL of effluent wastewater.     

Flexibility in metal-organic framework materials: Impact on sorption properties

Recent years have seen the development of a new class of porous coordination polymers known collectively as metal organic framework materials (MOFs). This review outlines recent progress in understanding how adsorption characteristics of these systems differ from rigid classical sorbents such as activated carbon and zeolites. Gas/vapor adsorption studies for characterization of the porous structures of MOF materials are reviewed and differences in adsorption characteristics based on detailed measurement of equilibrium and dynamical sorption behavior, compared with previous generations of sorbents, are highlighted. The role of framework flexibility and specific structural features, such as windows and pore cavities, within the MOF porous structures are discussed in relation to adsorption mechanisms.     

Monolithic polymeric sorbents for high-performance chromatography of synthetic polymers

A number of macroporous monolithic materials based on copolymers of butyl methacrylate or lauryl methacrylate with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate is obtained via thermal free-radical polymerization. The effect of polymerization conditions on pore parameters of the synthesized sorbents is studied. Polymer stationary phases obtained for the efficient analysis of synthetic polymers are tested for the separation of a multicomponent mixture containing polystyrene samples of various molecular masses.     

Selective sample treatment using molecularly imprinted polymers

The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic polymers possessing specific cavities designed for a target molecule. By a mechanism of molecular recognition, the MIPs are used as selective sorbents for the solid-phase extraction of target analytes from complex matrices. MIPs are often called synthetic antibodies in comparison with immuno-based sorbents; they offer some advantages including easy, cheap and rapid preparation and high thermal and chemical stability. This review describes the use of MIPs in solid-phase extraction with emphasis on their synthesis, the various parameters affecting the selectivity of the extraction, their potential to selectively extract analytes from complex aqueous samples or organic extracts, their on-line coupling with LC and their potential in miniaturized devices.     

The sorption properties of polymers with molecular imprints of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid synthesized by various methods

New sorbents, polymers with molecular imprints of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), were prepared on the basis of acrylamide. The sorbents were synthesized by thermal polymerization methods with and without the use of ultrasound, photopolymerization, and suspension polymerization. The specific surface area of the products was estimated and their sorption properties were studied. Polymers with molecular imprints prepared by thermal polymerization with the use of ultrasound and by suspension polymerization showed the best ability to repeatedly bind 2,4-D. The selectivity of polymers was estimated for the example of structurally related compounds. It was shown that the method of synthesis decisively influenced not only the ability of sorbents to repeatedly bind 2,4-D but also their selectivity.     

Ion-chromatographic selectivity of polyelectrolyte sorbents based on some aliphatic and aromatic ionenes

An aliphatic ionene with hydroxyl group (2HP-8 ionene), mixed aliphatic-aromatic ionenes (3-X and 6-X ionenes), aromatic ionene (Ph-X ionene), and viologen (Dp-X ionene) - polymers with quaternary nitrogen atoms in the main chain served as modifiers in synthesising polyelectrolyte sorbents for ion chromatography. The selectivity of produced and several previously prepared anion exchangers was compared with those of aliphatic ionenes. It was found that aromatic ionenes having a rigid structure of polymer chains are similar to their aliphatic analogues with shorter chains with a high charge density. Polyelectrolyte sorbents based on aromatic ionenes show higher selectivity to aromatic acids (e.g., 1-naphthalenesulfonic acid) as compared with aliphatic ionenes due to specific pi-pi interactions.     

Highly selective and non-conventional sorbents for the determination of biomarkers in urine by liquid chromatography

Urine is one of the most extensively analysed biological fluids in clinical and toxicological investigations owing to its high availability and non-invasive collection. The chemical nature of the analytes involved (polarity and thermal instability) makes liquid chromatography the separation technique of choice for compound determination. Moreover, sample treatment based on solid-phase extraction is usually carried out owing to its flexibility and the availability of new sorbent materials with increased selectivity and versatility towards the target compounds. Taking into account these three fundamental points, this review focuses on recent developments in urine pretreatment using highly selective and non-conventional sorbents in solid-phase extraction such as affinity sorbents (immunosorbents and molecularly imprinted polymers), restricted access materials and carbon nanotubes, with emphasis on the new synthesis methods. Their main advantages and shortcomings are presented, together with representative examples in this context.     

一种高选择性固相萃取吸附剂--分子印迹聚合物

固相萃取是对样品富集、分离的一种有效方法,因而得到广泛应用.分子印迹是近些年发展起来的新技术,由于分子印迹聚合物具有高的选择性,被应用于环境、药物、生物、食品等样品的分析.本文介绍了固相萃取和分子印迹技术的原理以及两者结合用于固相萃取的过程,对近10年来国内外分子印迹聚合物应用于固相萃取的研究工作进行了总结和评述,并对其将来的发展进行了展望.     

Hypercrosslinked polymeric restricted access materials for analysis of biological fluids

New restricted access materials based on microporous hypercrosslinked polystyrene have been developed. The materials are aimed to use as packings for solid‐phase extraction cartridges to isolate low‐molecular‐weight analytes from biological fluids (for instance, blood plasma or serum). Two features distinguish these polymers from all known restricted access materials. The first one consists of the microporous hypercrosslinked polystyrene that not only exclude proteins from the sorbent phase but also do not adsorb them on the bead outer surface, and so they do not cause coagulation of blood protein components. Therefore, these materials do not require any chemical modification. The second distinguishing feature is the ability of hypercrosslinked sorbents to take up a wide variety of polar and nonpolar organic compounds. The sorbents were obtained in the form of beads of 60–70 μm in diameter by cross‐linking styrene copolymers with 1, 2, and 3% divinylbenzene with monochlorodimethyl ether to 100, 150, and 200% cross‐linking degree. The sorbents exhibit all typical properties of hypercrosslinked networks. They do not take up albumin, the major blood protein, and cytochrome C, representative of smaller protein molecules, but are capable of adsorbing drugs, vitamins, and phenyl carboxylic acids (markers of sepsis) from model aqueous solutions.     

Recent Progress,Challenges and Prospects in Monitoring Plastic-Derived Xenoestrogens Using Molecularly Imprinted Sorbents

Indoor and outdoor exposure to plastic-derived xenoestrogens, such as phthalates and phenolic compounds, can adversely affect endocrine and reproductive systems in humans and wildlife. To accomplish the extraction of plastic-derived xenoestrogens from environmental samples, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been proved to be selective, efficient, and reliable sorbents. Despite some problems associated with the use of MIPs as sorbents, these have been found to be of considerable interest due to their advantages of selectivity, easy synthetic procedures, and better stability over commercially available solid sorbents. Modifications in their synthetic strategies are continuously in progress and new approaches are being made through graphene oxide substrates, nanostructured platforms, nanoferrites, cryogels, and co-electropolymerization to design better sorbents. Apart from this, efforts to create molecularly imprinted solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers have also been successful in improving the efficiency of the methodology. In future, the use of MIPs developed from advanced synthetic strategies, or as sorbents for more robust techniques like SPME and microextraction on packed sorbents, will add new horizons to explore the potential of MIPs in the field of plastic-derived xenoestrogens. This review presents various challenges, as well as progress and prospects associated with the extraction of plastic-derived phthalates and phenolic compounds using molecularly imprinted sorbents.     

Dramatic tuning of carbon dioxide uptake via metal substitution in a coordination polymer with cylindrical pores

A series of four isostructural microporous coordination polymers (MCPs) differing in metal composition is demonstrated to exhibit exceptional uptake of CO2 at low pressures and ambient temperature. These conditions are particularly relevant for capture of flue gas from coal-fired power plants. A magnesium-based material is presented that is the highest surface area magnesium MCP yet reported and displays ultrahigh affinity based on heat of adsorption for CO2. This study demonstrates that physisorptive materials can achieve affinities and capacities competitive with amine sorbents while greatly reducing the energy cost associated with regeneration.     

Graphene oxide based molecularly imprinted polymers modified with β‐cyclodextrin for selective extraction of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate in environmental waters

Graphene oxide based molecularly imprinted polymers modified with β‐cyclodextrin were prepared as solid‐phase extraction column sorbents for specific recognition and sensitive detection of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate in water samples. The morphology and composition of synthesized sorbents were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The conditions affecting the performance of extraction procedures such as desorption solvent types and volume, sample pH and volume were investigated. The loading capacity (8.2 μg/mg) of the prepared sorbents increased eight times after modification with β‐cyclodextrin. The developed extraction procedures coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography exhibited good linearity (0.2–500 μg/L), low limit of detection (0.052 μg/L), and good precision (relative standard deviation?5.7%) under optimized conditions. The developed solid‐phase extraction technique with prepared sorbents has been successfully applied in extracting trace di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate from real natural waters with high efficiency, good selectivity, and desirable recoveries.     

Emerging materials for sample preparation

This review provides an update on the implementation of emerging materials as sorbents for sample preparation in combination with chromatographic separation. We have focused on recent applications of metal–organic frameworks, layered double hydroxides, porous carbons obtained from polymers or biomass precursors, and silicates (clays and zeolites). The review is directed toward the strategies followed by the authors to engineer suitable supports enabling the application of materials with unconventional size and shape as high‐performance sorbents to explore new boundaries in sample pretreatment in manual or automated modes.     

Complexing polymer sorbents and metal polymer complex catalysts with specially designed structure of active centres

A new approach to a problem of preparation, regulation of properties and formation of three-dimensional structure of complexing polymer sorbents and metal polymer complex catalysts with specially designed structure of active centres has been developed. The main principle is based on the use of “memory” of polymer composition and consists in prearrangement of macromolecules of initial complexing polymer or metal polymer complex catalyst to sorbing metal or hydrocarbon substrate followed by fixation of optimum for particular substrate conformation by intermolecular crosslinking. Using this principle a number of crosslinked complexing polymer sorbents and metal polymer complex catalysts containing phosphorylic, carboxylic, pyridine, amine and imine functional groups have been prepared. It has been shown that prearrangement leads to essential improvement of basic sorption and catalytic properties of the crosslinked complexing polymers - sorption capacity, the rate of uptake, selectivity and catalytic activity.     

分子印迹固相萃取技术检测江水、尿液及牛奶中雌激素残留

以β-雌二醇和炔雌醇的分子印迹聚合物为填料制备固相萃取小柱,选择60%(V/V)甲醇-水溶液作为雌激素的淋洗液,甲醇-乙酸(9:1,V/V)为洗脱液,洗脱两次可彻底洗脱固相萃取小柱中目标分子.以建立的萃取条件对上海黄浦江水、尿液、牛奶中雌激素进行富集,结合高效液相色谱法,建立了基于分子印迹固相萃取技术检测上述实际样品中...     

Studies on sorption of bifenthrin and diazinon insecticides on molecularly imprinted polymers

Synthesis and characterization of polymeric matrices for molecular recognition of pesticides are presented. For their preparation, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross‐linking agent were used. As template molecules, diazinon and bifenthrin were applied. Syntheses were carried out in the presence of different porogens. Chemical structures were studied using FTIR‐ATR, elemental analysis, and alkacymetric titration, morphology by laser diffraction particle size analyzer and by particle size, and shape analyzer based on image analysis, whereas porous structure by nitrogen adsorption/desorption method. To study selectivity of the sorbent toward template molecule, breakthrough volumes and sorption kinetics for molecularly imprinted polymers and nonimprinted analogues were determined. Particle sizes of the studied sorbents (expressed as CE diameter) were in the range 40 to 44 μm (except sorbent obtained in the presence of hexane). The chemical composition of all obtained sorbents was close to theoretical one (60.13% C, 7.11% H, 32.77% O). The values of specific surface area of the sorbents were in the range 2 to 338 m²/g.     

Chelating polymers and related supports for separation and preconcentration of trace metals

This review is concerned mainly with the applications of chelating polymeric resins for the separation and concentration of trace metals from oceans, rivers, streams and other natural systems. Commercially available resins, specially prepared polymers and a selection of other sorbents are described and their uses outlined. Special emphasis is placed on the preconcentration of uranium from sea-water.     

Multifunctional polymeric materials for biomedical applications

The work performed by our research group during the last few years in the area of bioerodible-biodegradable polymers as designed to the formulation of systems for the controlled delivery of drugs and as specific sorbents of uraemic toxins is broadly reviewed. In particular, attention has been focused on the strategies adopted in the preparation of functional polymers containing hydroxyl or carboxyl groups, suitable to establish specific bonding and non-bonding interactions with conventional and proteic drugs.