Crosslinked Alginate Copolymer Network as an Effective Sorbent for Ce(IV) from Aqueous Solution

Ion imprinting and imprinted polymers have found numerous applications in various fields. A new type of polymer network, namely the Tetravalent Cerium Cation-Imprinted Crosslinked Polymer Network (Ce(IV)-CICPN), has been synthesized using a metal-ion imprinting strategy in an aqueous medium, with N,N-Methylene-bis-acrylamide (NNMBA) serving as the crosslinker. The CPN's characteristics were assessed through UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, PXRD analysis, SEM studies, EDX, and thermogravimetric analysis. Adsorption performance was evaluated via adsorption isotherms and kinetics, employing a batch equilibration method to optimize conditions for maximal sorption of Ce(IV) ions by the Ce(IV)-CICPN, which was then compared to a Non-imprinted Crosslinked Polymer Network (Non-imprinted CPN). The maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 70.3 mg/g. Additionally, BET surface area analysis revealed the surface area of Ce(IV)-CICPN and Non-imprinted CPNs to be 2.103m2g-1 and 0.62m2g-1 respectively. Investigation into selectivity regarding Ce(IV) ions over Zn(II), Mg(II), Cr(IV), and V(V) indicated the polymer's effectiveness as a selective sorbent for Ce(IV) ions.