Preparation of Cu(II)-Imprinted Smart Microgels for Selective Separation of Copper Ions

<div><p>In this study, we demonstrate a new kind of surface imprinted smart polymer by using methacrylic acid (MAA) as function monomer, attapulgite as the support material, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker, and 2, 2’-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator to prepare Cu(II)-imprinted microgels. The results showed that the prepared imprinted microgels have a high affinity for Cu²⁺ over Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and the adsorption equilibrium data fitted Freundlich isotherm model well. In addition, Cu(II)-imprinted smart microgels had pH sensitivity to control the selection recognition property. Besides, It is suggested that the Cu(II)-imprinted microgels was a material that was efficient, low-cost, and could be reused five times with about 15% regeneration loss.</p>