Synthesis and application of nano-pore size ion imprinted polymer for solid phase extraction and determination of zinc in different matrices

A new Zn(II) ion imprinted polymer (IIP) has been synthesized. The imprinted Zn(II) ions were completely removed by leaching the IIP with HCl (6 mol L-1) and were characterized by FT-IR and SEM. The maximum sorption capacity of IIP for Zn(II) ions was found to be 2.73 mg g(-1). Variables affecting the IIP solid phase extraction were optimized by MultiSimplex and univariable methods. Sample volumes of 60 and 250 mL resulted in a preconcentration factor of 28 and 118, respectively. Precision (n = 7) at 30 mu g L-1 and 5 mu g L-1 level for 60 and 250 mL samples were found to be 2.5% and 3.4%. With preconcentration of 60 and 250 mL of samples, detection limits of 1.02 mu g L-1 and 0.48 mu g L-1 were determined. The method was successfully applied to the determination of zinc in various natural water samples and cereal samples and certified references samples. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.