Removal of toxic mercury from petroleum oil by newly synthesized molecularly-imprinted polymer.

Nor Khairi,Nor Yusof,Abdul Abdullah,Faruq Mohammad

doi:10.3390/ijms160510562

Nor Khairi, Nor Yusof + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms160510562

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Abstract

In recent years, molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs) have attracted the attention of several researchers due to their capability for molecular recognition, easiness of preparation, stability and cost-effective production. By taking advantage of these facts, Hg(II) imprinted and non-imprinted copolymers were prepared by polymerizing mercury nitrate stock solution (or without it) with methacrylic acid (MAA), 2-hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), methanol and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the monomer, co-monomer solvent (porogen) and cross-linker, respectively. Thus, the formed Hg(II) imprinted polymer was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The separation and preconcentration characteristics of Hg(II) imprinted polymer were investigated by solid phase extraction (SPE) procedures, and an optimal pH of 7 was investigated as ideal. The specific surface area of the Hg(II) imprinted polymer was found to be 19.45 m2/g with a size range from 100 to 140 µm in diameter. The maximum adsorption capacity was observed to be 1.11 mg/g of Hg(II) imprinted beads with 87.54% removal of Hg(II) ions within the first 5 min. The results of the study therefore confirm that the Hg(II) imprinted polymer can be used multiple times without significantly losing its adsorption capacity.

Highlights

Mercury (Hg) is classified as one of the most toxic heavy metals on Earth, where it can be adsorbed through the skin, oral routes or by inhalation and exhibit adverse reactions on human health [1].This further leads to a variety of health defects, including neurological, renal, respiratory, immune, dermatologic, reproductive and developmental neurotoxicity [2]
It is obvious that there is no peak observed in the –SH region for molecularly-imprinted polymers (MIPs), indicating the absence of the –SH group in the polymer form
We developed a cysteine-complexed MIP to serve as a useful technique for the removal of heavy metal ions by using electrostatic and van der Waals chemistry between lone pair electron groups of cysteine and Hg(II) ions

Summary

Introduction

Mercury (Hg) is classified as one of the most toxic heavy metals on Earth, where it can be adsorbed through the skin, oral routes or by inhalation and exhibit adverse reactions on human health [1].This further leads to a variety of health defects, including neurological, renal, respiratory, immune, dermatologic, reproductive and developmental neurotoxicity [2]. Mercury (Hg) is classified as one of the most toxic heavy metals on Earth, where it can be adsorbed through the skin, oral routes or by inhalation and exhibit adverse reactions on human health [1]. In many forms of crude oils, a variety of mercury-containing species are found to be present, including elemental mercury, Hg(I) compounds, Hg(II) compounds and a combination thereof [6] The presence of these elements can cause detrimental effects, as they pose significant product quality, environmental and safety issues. The consequences of mercury in feeds on processing systems includes the degradation of equipment parts, poisoning of catalysts, toxic waste generation and increased risk of the health and safety of workers All of these factors can directly or indirectly be responsible for a reduction in the quality of the final hydrocarbon products [7]

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