Synthesis and characterization of a novel nanostructured ion-imprinted polymer for pre-concentration of Y(iii) ions

Abstract

A nanostructured Y(III) ion imprinted polymer (IIP) was synthesized by preparing a complex of Y(III) ions with 1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (QZ) as a chelating agent. The Y(III) ion was found to form a 1 : 1 stable complex with QZ in 2-methoxyethanol solution. The prepared complex was then copolymerized with ethylene glycoldimethacrylate (cross-linking monomer), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (functional monomer) and 2,2-azobis-isobutyronitrile (initiator) via a precipitation polymerization method. The imprinted Y(III) ion was removed using a 3 mol L⁻¹ HCl solution to obtain leached IIP nanoparticles. Non-imprinted polymer particles were similarly prepared without Y(III) ions. The polymers were characterized by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and N₂ sorption–desorption isotherms. The SEM images of synthesized polymers exhibited nano-patterns. The effect of several parameters such as solution pH, sorption and desorption time, type, concentration, and volume of eluent on the extraction were investigated and optimized one variable at a time. The optimum pH for maximum sorption was 8.9. The maximum sorbent capacity of the IIP was 18.05 mg g⁻¹. Following desorption, Y(III) was determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. A limit of detection and relative standard deviation (n = 6) of 0.9 ng mL⁻¹ and 2.2%, respectively, were obtained. The method was applied in the determination of yttrium in a certified reference material and a radioyttrium sample to demonstrate the accuracy and applicability of the presented method.