New lead(II) ion-imprinted polymer potentially for lead preconcentration in airborne particulates

Lead is one of the metal elements that are commonly found in many environmental samples including airborne particulates. Determination of low levels of lead with a good degree of accuracy and high selectivity is still a challenge because the lead concentration in the environment is quite low due to the complexity of the matrix in environmental samples. Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) with Ion Imprinted Polymers / IIPs which are used as functional materials is one of the most widely used method for separation and preconcentration metal ions. Lead(II) imprinted polymers (Pb-IIPs) in this research were prepared by bulk polymerization method involving the Pb (II) ternary complex with PAR (ligand) and 4-vinylpyridine (functional monomer), methacrylic acid (monomer), trimethylolproprane trimethacrylate (TRIM, cross-linker), BPO (initiator), and methanol (porogen). The polymer was characterized by using FTIR. IIPs capacity to rebind Pb(II) was investigated from aqueous solutions. Effect of pH and concentration of Pb(II) ion in batch methode were studied. The concentration of Pb(II) ions was determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS). The optimum condition for Pb(II) adsorption was obtained at pH 6.0, and maximum adsorption capacity for Pb-IIP achieved 7,47 mg/g polymer which is higher than the Non Imprinted Polymers (NIPs) showing the significant effect of ion templated. The adsorption capacity value of synthesized Pb-IIPs has shown the potential to be used as a sorbent for lead ion preconcentration in airborne particulate samples which has lower concentration of lead ions.