Selective and sensitive detoxification of toxic lead ions from drinking water using lead (II) ion-imprinted interpenetrating polymer linkage

The present study describes a new approach for the lead (II)-imprinted interpenetrating polymer linkage synthesis by ion-imprinted polymers. The development of lead (II) (Pb²⁺⁾ ion-imprinted polymer by employing the 4-vinyl pyridine as a complexing agent and methacrylic acid as a functional monomer was used for the selective elimination of noxious Pb²⁺ ions from an aqueous environment. Different analytical techniques have been used for the characterization of synthesized Pb²⁺ion-imprinted polymeric material such as scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. During adsorption study, different parameters have been optimized such as pH, agitation time, time study, and adsorbent dose to achieve maximum adsorption capacity. This study well fitted the Langmuir isotherm model, while the kinetic study was well defined by pseudo-second order. The relative selective factor (Kʹ) of Pb²⁺ ion and coexisting ions was greater than 1 due to the imprinting effect. The maximum adsorption capability of Pb²⁺ ion-imprinted polymer was 85.47 mg g⁻¹ at pH 6. The developed method obtained a good linear range from 10 to 100 μg L⁻¹ concentration, with a limit of detection (0.74 µg L⁻¹) and a limit of quantification (2.48 µg L⁻¹). The developed methodology was validated by the spiking addition method and obtained good results in accordance with spiking values in real samples. Graphic abstract: Graphical view of lead (II)-imprinted interpenetrating polymer linkage[Figure not available: see fulltext.].