Ion-Imprinted Polymers for Selective Recognition of Neodymium(III) in Environmental Samples

This study describes the selective recognition of Nd(III) in aqueous solutions in the presence of various lanthanide ions by molecularly imprinted polymers. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared by suspension polymerization. N-methacryloylamido folic acid (MAFol) was used as the functional monomer. The effects of different variables such as pH, time, and initial Nd(III) concentration on binding characteristics were investigated. Binding equilibrium time was achieved in 30 min. The maximum binding capacity was found to be 14.6 mg Nd(III) g–1 polymer. Binding studies of Nd(III) in the presence of Ce(III), La(III), and Eu(III) ions were also carried out using Nd(III)-imprinted polymers. The imprinted polymers displayed high selectivity toward Nd(III) ions. The obtained binding order under competitive conditions was Nd(III) > La(III) > Ce(III) > Eu(III).