Selective sorption behavior of metal(II) ion-imprinted polymethacrylate microspheres synthesized via precipitation polymerization method

Metal methacrylate complex was synthesized from methacrylic acid and metal carbonate to prepare metal ion-imprinted polymer (MIIP) particles by the precipitation polymerization method. Three types of metal ions, Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II), were used as the template ions in this synthesis. The produced MIIP particles were spherically well-defined with 0.5-2 mu m diameter in the order of Cu(II)-MIIP > Ni(II)-MIIP > Pb(II)-MIIP. The imprinted polymers exhibited a much higher adsorption capacity and selectivity toward the target (template) ion than other competitive metal ions. The MIIP particles, Cu(II)-MIIP, Ni(II)-MIIP, and Pb(II)-MIIP, synthesized in this study guaranteed the selective separation of the target metal ion from the mixtures, although their competitive strengths of the adsorption capacity and selectivity were different.