Synthesis and Adsorption of Ni(II) on Ni(II)-Imprinted Polyaniline Supported on Attapulgite Modified with 3-Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane

A novel Ni(II) ion-imprinted polymer [Ni(II)-IIP] was prepared by surface-imprinting technique using aniline as the functional monomer and 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS)-modified attapulgite as the support material. The prepared sorbents were characterized by Fourier transmission infrared spectra, BET and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption experiments carried out using Ni(II)-IIPs were optimized by changing the length of the polymer, contact time, solution pH, the concentration of template ion and the amount of cross-linking agent, etc. In addition, batch experiments were performed to evaluate adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms. The study results revealed that Ni(II)-IIPs had higher adsorption capacity and higher recognizing ability for Ni2+ compared with non-imprinted polymers. The experimental data fitted well with both the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model. The maximum theoretical adsorption capacity for Ni2+ ions is 123.61 mg/g. The relative selec...