Magnetic ion-imprinted polymer based on mesoporous silica for selective removal of Co(II) from radioactive wastewater

A magnetically separable Co(II)-imprinted polymer based on mesoporous silica (mag@silica-CIP) was synthesized for use as an adsorbent for the selective removal of Co(II). The optimal pH for Co(II) adsorption was found to be 5. Increasing the amount of the Co(II)-imprinted polymer layer on the surface of mag@silica led to an increase in the maximum adsorption capacity for Co(II). The mag@silica-CIP selectively adsorbed Co(II) even in the presence of competing species such as Fe(II), Ni(II), and Mn(II) ions. Thermodynamic experiments revealed that the adsorption of Co(II) by mag@silica-CIP is an endothermic and spontaneous process.

Automated summary

A magnetically separable Co(II)-imprinted polymer based on mesoporous silica was synthesized for selective removal of Co(II), showing increased adsorption capacity with higher amounts of the imprinted polymer layer. The material exhibited selective Co(II) adsorption even in the presence of competing ions, and thermodynamic experiments indicated an endothermic and spontaneous adsorption process.