Ion-imprinted interpenetrating network gels for solid-phase extraction of heavy metal ions

In the present work, ion-imprinted interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) gels were prepared by free radical/cationic hybrid polymerisation of acrylamide (AAm) and 1,4-butanediol vinyl ether (BVE). These gels were respectively used for separation of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions in natural water samples. Experimental conditions for effective adsorption of metal ions were optimised with respect to different experimental parameters by column procedures in detail. The optimum pH value for the adsorption of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions on these sorbents was 6.0. Complete elution of the adsorbed metal ions from the sorbent was carried out using 1.0 mol/L of HCl solution. The optimum sample flow rate and eluent flow rate were, respectively, 1.0 and 0.3 mL/min. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation and determination of the target ions. The accuracy of the proposed method was validated by analysis of the standard reference material (GBW 08301, river sediment). The measured contents of metal ions in the reference material were in good agreement with the certified values. The presented method was successfully applied for the determination of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions in three different water samples (well water, seawater and waste water).