Magnetic ion imprinted polymer nanoparticles for the preconcentration of vanadium(IV) ions

An ion imprinted polymer coated onto magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles is shown to be a useful magnetic sorbent for the fairly selective preconcentration of vanadium. The sorbent was prepared by radical copolymerization of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (the monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (the cross-linker), and the vanadium(IV) complex of 1-(2-pyridylazo-2-naphthol) in the presence of magnetite nanoparticles. The material was characterized by IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal analysis. The vanadium(IV) ions were removed from the imprint by a solution containing thiourea and HCl, and the eluent was submitted to AAS. The analytical efficiency and relative standard deviation are 99.4 and +/- 2.3 %, respectively, under optimum conditions, and the limit of detection is 20 ng mL(-1). The method was successfully applied to the preconcentration and determination of vanadium(IV) ions in crude oil.