Fabrication of chromium imprinted polymer: A real magneto selective sorbent for chromium Cr (VI) removal in a real water sample

In the proposed research, novel Cr-(VI) imprinted, magnetic polymer MIIP decorated on the surface of amine functionalized silica caped magnetite nanoparticles, for the selective and efficient remediation of hexavalent chromium ion from aqueous system has been disclosed. The simple and facile coprecipitation profile was used for the fabrication of amine functionalized silica caped iron oxide nanoparticles followed by successful polymerization of Cr-(VI) imprinted polymer at the surface of functionalized core material. Different chemical reagents were utilized in synthesis of magnetic polymer including dichromate (Cr2O7)-2 ion, 4-Vinylpyradine (4-VP), methyl methacrylate (MAA), ethylene glycol methacrylate (EGDMA), α-αˊ-azoisobisbutyronitrile (AIBN) as template, complexing-agent, functional-monomer, cross-linker and initiator respectively. Confirmation of synthesized material was carried out via SEM, XRD EDX and FTIR. To enhance the maximum adsorption capacity pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, analyte concentration and shaking speed were optimized. The Phenomenal adsorption capacity 169.49 mg. g-1 was acquired at pH 2 in short equilibrium time (16min), utilizing 20 mg of adsorbent. The proposed system reveals excellent reusability around eight consecutive cycles with insignificant decrease in the adsorption efficiency (10%). Besides exceptional adsorption capacity, superior selectivity, ease of separation and highly economical features makes the magnetic polymer as an efficient icon for selective remediation of hexavalent chromium ions from water bodies at the commercial level.