Synthesis of a New Cu(II)-Ion Imprinted Polymer for Solid Phase Extraction and Preconcentration of Cu(II)

A new Cu(II)-ion imprinted polymer (IIP) has been synthesized by copolymerizing salicylic acid and formaldehyde as a monomer and crosslinker, respectively in the presence of Cu(II)-4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol complex. The imprinted Cu(II) ions were completely removed by leaching the IIP with 0.05 M EDTA. The maximum adsorption capacity for Cu(II) ions was 310 mu g g(-1) at pH 6. The IIP was repeatedly used in adsorption-desorption experiments for seven times with recoveries similar to 95%. The relative selectivity factor (alpha (r)) values of Cu(II)/Zn(II), Cu(II)/Cd(II), Cu(II)/Ni(II) and Cu(II)/Co(II) are 3.17, 2.90, 2.47 and 3.37, respectively. The detection limit corresponding to three times the standard deviation of the blank was found to be 3.0 mu g L(-1). The developed IIP has also been tested for preconcentration and recovery of Cu(II) ions from water samples.