Application of a Novel Ion-Imprinted Polymer to the Separation of Traces of CdII Ions in Natural Water: Optimization by Box-Behnken Design

This study describes the preparation of a novel ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) to apply pre-concentration of cadmium ions in water samples of the Pontal Bay in Ilhéus, Brazil. First, cadmium ion was complexed with 2-(2-thiazolylazo)-p-cresol (TAC). Subsequently, there was the polymerization using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and methacrylic acid monomers along with the radical azobisisobutyronitrile initiator. The mold ions were removed using 2:1 (v v-1) nitric acid. The thermal stability of the polymer was evaluated by thermogravimetry and the characterization was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The maximum adsorption capacity for IIP (qmax = 84.75 mg g-1) could be described by the Langmuir isotherm. The variables: sample flow rate, pH and eluent (nitric acid) were optimized using Box-Behnken design with determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The enrichment factor, as well as the limits of detection and quantification (LOQ), were found to be 44, 0.14 and 0.46 µg L-1, respectively. Selectivity was evaluated by using solutions containing CdII, CuII, NiII, PbII, CoII, SO42-, and Cl- ions. The concentration of cadmium ions in the samples varied between < LOQ to 1.25 µg L-1.