Synthesis of Ion-Imprinted Polymer for Solid-Phase Extraction (IIP-SPE) of Lead from Tap Water Samples before ICP/OES Analysis: Compared to Monte Carlo simulation

In this research, an ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) sorbent for lead ion has been synthesized to selective Pb extraction before the sensitive ICP/OES analysis. For this purpose, the lead complex was fabricated using N-isoacrylamide as a monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinker, and azobutyronitrile azobis as a primer. The product was examined by furrier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The results show that the synthesized IIP has high efficiency in the adsorption of lead ions due to several suitable extraction sites (nitrogen and sulfur atoms) present in the polymer structure. Experimental evidence showed that the highest Pb ion uptake was at pH = 6. Also, 1 M nitric acid solution in a volume of 5 mL has the highest amount of elution. Penetration volume for Pb from IIP-SPE was measured 50 mL. The developed method was finally utilized to analyze Pb in various tap water samples, and the obtained results were compared with the standard method.