In this paper, the potential of novel polymer sorbents with the imprinted IL-functional group for the removal of Cu(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions was investigated by batch mode. The sorbents were fabricated by direct reaction of the prepared polymer matrix (poly(vinylbenzyl chloride-divinylbenzene), VBC, and poly(vinylbenzyl bromide-divinylbenzene), VBBr) with 1-(3- or 4-pyridyl)undecan-1-one and oxime of 1-(3- or 4-pyridyl)undecan-1-one. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy (Raman), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to show functionality and stability of the sorbents. The materials were also characterized by contact-angle goniometry, X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Zeta potential analysis. The removal of Cd(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) was monitored and optimized under the influence of several operational controlling conditions and factors such as pH, shaking time, temperature, initial metal ions concentration, and counter-ions at the functional group. The results obtained confirmed the very high potential of the sorbents; however, the properties depend on the structure of the functional group. The tested sorbents showed fast kinetics, significant capacity at 25 °C (84 mg/g for the Zn(II) sorption with VBC-Ox4.10, 63 mg/g for the Cd(II) sorption with VBBr-Ox3.10, and 69 mg/g for the Cu(II) sorption with VBC-K3.10), and temperature dependence (even 100% increase in capacity values at 45 °C). The selected sorbent can be regenerated without a significant decrease in the metal removal efficiency.
Keywords: ionic liquids; isotherm; kinetic; metals removal; resins; sorbents; sorption.