Synthesis of copper(II) ion‐imprinted polymers via suspension polymerization

Copper(II) (Cu 2+ ) ion‐imprinted polymers were prepared by suspension polymerization using 2.5 mmol of copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate as the template ion, 5 mmol of 4‐vinylpyridine and methacrylic acid as functional monomers, 20 mmol of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross‐linker, 1 mmol of 1,1′‐azobis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile) as the initiator in the porogen of 10 mL of toluene, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose as a stabilizer in the polymerization reaction. The obtained polymers were used to quantify Cu 2+ ion by using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Chemical structure, morphology, crystalline structure, and surface area of polymers were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller respectively. The diameters of the synthesized polymer particles were about 250 nm. The Cu 2+ ion‐imprinted polymers illustrated good recognition property and selective adsorption ability with Cu 2+ higher than Mn 2+ and Fe 2+ . Thus, this work could be applied as a sorbent from the enrichment of Cu 2+ ions in analytes.