An effective approach for fast selective separation of Cr(VI) from water by ion-imprinted polymer grafted on the electro-spun nanofibrous mat of functionalized polyacrylonitrile

The aim of this study is to prepare Cr(VI) ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) grafted on the surface of functionalized polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous mat (FPANFM), IIP-functionalized-PANFM, for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The prepared materials were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, FESEM, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Moreover, various operating conditions such as contact time, initial metal ion concentration (5-500 mg L-1), IIP-functionalized-PANFM dosage and FPANFM/IIP weight ratio. The imprinting efficiency was evaluated by comparing the adsorbed amount of Cr(VI) by HP and IIP-functionalized-PANFM with the adsorption by the non-imprinted polymer (NIP). Cr(III), Cu(II), and Cd(II) were selected as interferences and used individually to study the selectivity factor. The maximum adsorption capacity was < 30 mg g(-1) for NIP, PANFM, and FPANFM, while for IIP and IIP-functionalized-PANFM was 183 mg g(-1) and 398 mg g(-1) in a very short time (12 min.), respectively. Moreover, the reusability of the IIP and IIP-functionalized-PANFM was tested for several times and no significant loss in adsorption capacity was observed. Also, isotherm models, kinetic adsorption mechanism and thermodynamic parameters were investigated.