Screening of synthesis conditions for the development of a radium ion-imprinted polymer using the dummy template imprinting approach

In this study, a selective and specific sorbent for radium extraction was developed the first time using ion-imprinted polymer technology. A novel original approach used in order to screen best synthesis conditions. After identifying monomer candidates, porogen, complexation from electrospray ionization mass spectrometry experiments, solubility tests, conductimetry five polymers (IIPs) were synthesized by bulk polymerization Ba2+ as dummy template ion. Non-imprinted (NIPs) similarly prepared but without ions. Polymers packed solid phase (SPE) cartridges their characterization. Composition of percolation washing solutions (e.g. buffer concentration, nature pH, ethanol proportion) varied achieve highest retention ion while minimizing that interfering The retention, selectivity (retention on IIP versus NIP), specificity (targeted ions ions) properties different compared measuring recovery yields SPE collected fractions inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). acetonitrile/dimethylsulfoxyde (1/1, v/v) ion, vinylphosphonic acid complexing monomer, styrene divinylbenzene co-monomer cross-linker showed both specificity. It retained strongly Ra2+ having potential isolate it alkali metals, metalloids some transition metals.