Selective Solid-Phase Extraction of Lead Ions in Water Samples Using Three-Dimensional Ion-Imprinted Polymers

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) are crucial for selective heavy metal determination.
• Enhancing the selectivity and adsorption capacity of IIPs remains a key challenge.
• Biomolecular monomers offer potential for improved imprinting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop three-dimensional ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) with enhanced selectivity for heavy metals.
• To utilize 8-hydroxyquinoline-grafted gelatin as a biomolecular monomer for improved imprinting.
• To establish a method for the selective determination of lead ions in water samples.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of three-dimensional IIPs using a hydrogel film strategy with 8-hydroxyquinoline-grafted gelatin.
• Utilizing swelling, folding, and cross-linking steps for IIP formation.
• Coupling IIP extraction with spectrophotometric analysis for lead ion determination.

Main Results:

• Achieved high adsorption capacity (235.7 mg g(-1)) and selectivity (imprinted factor of 2.9).
• Demonstrated rapid adsorption kinetics and tunable IIP morphologies.
• Established a sensitive method for lead ion detection with a limit of detection of 0.2 ng mL(-1).

Conclusions:

• The developed biomolecular-enhanced IIPs show significant potential for selective heavy metal detection.
• The proposed method is effective for monitoring lead ions in drinking and surface water.
• The strategy allows for the preparation of IIPs with tailored properties for practical applications.