(608a) Development and Performance of a Novel Cu2+-Imprinted Membrane By Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network Technique for Selective Cu2+ Removal

Ion-imprinted membrane has received a great attention due to its high selectivity toward the target ions. In this study, a novel Cu²⁺-imprinted polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/ polyacrylic acid (PAA) membrane (Cu-IM) was prepared by semi-interpenetrating polymer network technique for selective removal of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solution. Chains of the PAA polymer complexed with the template Cu²⁺ ions were entrapped in the crosslinked PVA membrane matrix. The chemical structure and morphology of the Cu-IM were analysed by FT-IR and SEM. The batch adsorption studies showed that the adsorption of Cu²⁺ on Cu-IM was highly pH-dependent and the maximum uptake was reached at pH > 4.5. Based on Langmuir equation, the Cu-IM had a maximum adsorption capacity of 82.18 mg/g for Cu²⁺, with a much higher affinity toward Cu²⁺ ions than that of non-imprinted membrane (NIM). Selective adsorption indicated that the Cu-IM exhibited a high selectivity for target Cu²⁺ ions in comparison with that of NIM, and showed a high selectivity for Cu²⁺ with respect to Zn²⁺. Besides, the Cu-IM possessed a high reusability for Cu²⁺ uptake and could maintain 96 % of the adsorption capacity for Cu²⁺ after 8 adsorption-desorption cycles. In addition, the filtration studies indicated the Cu-IM could remove Cu²⁺ ions efficiently, with an effective treatment volume of 1710 bed volumes for initial Cu²⁺ concentration of 11 mg/L. Finally, the FTIR and XPS analysis demonstrated that carboxyl groups in PAA and hydroxyl groups in PVA play a key role in the adsorption of Cu²⁺ ions.