Synthesis of ion-imprinted polymer with gamma irradiation for the adsorption of Tripolyphosphate

One method of separating tripolyphosphate ion uses ion-imprinted polymer. Chitosan-succinate, tripolyphosphate and methylene bis akrilamida (MBA) were used as the complexing polymer, template, and crosslinker agent, respectively. In the first step, Fe(III)-chitosan-succinate-tripolyphospate was formed. In the second step, Fe(III)-chitosan-succinate-tripolyphospate was crosslinked by MBA and irradiated by gamma rays. Then, tripolyphosphate ion was removed with KOH solution to form a selective cavity for tripolyphosphate ion in the ion-imprinted polymer (IIP). Based on the results of this study, the optimum adsorption of tripolyphosphate ion was found at an MBA crosslinker concentration of 1%, pH 2, irradiation dose 20 kGy, and a tripolyphosphate ion concentration of 1 ppm. This study also included experimental adsorption of tripolyphosphate ion on non-imprinted polymer (NIP-MBA) and an evaluation of the effect of interference ions. The resulting adsorption of tripolyphosphate ion on IIP was found to be higher than those of non-imprinted polymer. The adsorption percentages were found to be 94 % for IIP and 14 % for NIP-MBA. Chloride ion (Cl-) provided greater interference in the adsorption process of tripolyphosphate ion compared to carbonate ions. The percent adsorptions of tripolyphosphates were estimated to be 57.71 % in the presence Cl- ion and 68.28 % in the presence CO₃ ^2-ion.