Synthesis and characterization of a molecularly imprinted polymer for the isolation of the 16 US-EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in solution. (1st September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ncube, Somandla; Kunene, Phumlile; Tavengwa, Nikita T.; Tutu, Hlanganani; Richards, Heidi; Cukrowska, Ewa; Chimuka, Luke
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 199(2017)
• Page Start: 192
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2017-09-01
• Subjects: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -- Molecular imprinting technology -- Molecularly imprinted polymers -- Benzo[k]fluoranthene -- Indeno[1 2 3-cd]pyrene; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.05.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: A smart sorbent consisting of benzo[k]fluoranthene-imprinted and indeno[1 2 3-cd]pyrene-imprinted polymers mixed at 1:1 (w/w) was successfully screened from several cavity-tuning experiments and used in the isolation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from spiked solution. The polymer mixture showed high cross selectivity and affinity towards all the 16 US-EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The average extraction efficiency from a cyclohexane solution was 65 ± 13.3% (n = 16, SD). Batch adsorption and kinetic studies confirmed that the binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons onto the polymer particles resulted in formation of a monolayer and that the binding process was the rate limiting step. The imprinted polymer performance studies confirmed that the synthesized polymer had an imprinting efficiency of 103.9 ± 3.91% (n = 3, SD). A comparison of the theoretical number of cavities and the experimental binding capacity showed that the overall extent of occupation of the imprinted cavities in the presence of excess polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was 128 ± 6.45% (n = 3, SD). The loss of selectivity was estimated at 2.9% with every elution cycle indicating that the polymer can be re-used several times with limited loss of selectivity and sensitivity. The polymer combination has shown to be an effective adsorbent that can be used to isolate all the 16 US-EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in solution. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Rigorous and exhaustive MIP cavity tuning experiments were done in order to select a polymer with high cross selectivity. Benzo[k]fluoranthene-imprinted and indeno[1 2 3-cd]pyrene-imprinted polymer combination was identified as the best polymer. Polymer combination has high affinity for the 16 US-EPA priority PAHs. Polymer has high imprinting and cavity efficiencies. Polymer can be re-used with minimal loss in efficiency.