Synthesis, characterization and application of a novel ion-imprinted polymer for selective solid phase extraction of copper(II) ions from high salt matrices prior to its determination by FAAS

A new Cu(II)-imprinted sorbent has been prepared by using 5-methyl-2-thiozylmethacrylamide (MTMAAm). The monomer of Cu(II)–MTMAAm complex was synthesized and copolymerized in the presence of ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate cross-linker via bulk polymerization method. The resulting Cu(II)-imprinted polymer was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Copper ions were removed from the polymer with 1.0 mol L−1 HNO3 and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The imprinted polymer showed higher selectivity for Cu(II) in comparison to the non-imprinted polymer. Relative selectivity coefficients (k′) for Cu(II)/Zn(II), Cu(II)/Ni(II) and Cu(II)/Co(II) were 9.1, 14.8 and 26.6, respectively. The imprinted polymer was examined as a column packing material for solid phase extraction of Cu(II) from various matrices. The effects of solution pH, acid eluents and interfering ions were investigated. The poylmer possesses selective extraction of Cu(II) within pH range from 5.0 to 6.5. The relative standard deviation and limit of detection (3 s) of the method were evaluated as 1.4% and 0.9 µg L−1, respectively. The accuracy of the method was verified by analysis of two certified reference materials (CWW-TM-D and SRM 3280) and then applied to the determination of Cu in seawater, lake water and tap water samples, and hemodialysis concentrates and multivitamin/multielement supplements.