Selective Adsorption of Co(II) Ions by Whisker Surface Ion‐Imprinted Polymer: Equilibrium and Kinetics Modeling

Abstract

Abstract Based on sodium trititanate whisker as support particles, the surface ion‐imprinted polymer (S‐IIP) was synthesized for the selective adsorption of Co(II) ions from aqueous solution. Characterization of S‐IIP was achieved by FTIR spectra and SEM micrographs. Kinetic properties were successfully investigated by the pseudo‐first‐order model and pseudo‐second‐order model, and a chemisorption process as the essential adsorption step was also proposed. Equilibrium data were fitted with the Langmuir, Dubinin‐Radushkevich and Freundlich isotherm equations, and the maximum adsorption amount of monolayer saturation for S‐IIP was 33.75 mg/g at 298 K. Moreover, dimensionless separation factor R L ( R L <1.0) indicated a highly favourable adsorption system between Co(II) ions and S‐IIP. Selectivity experiments showed that selective adsorption of Co(II) ions for S‐IIP was significantly higher than that of non‐imprinted polymer (NIP).