Preparation of Porous Aromatic Framework-Based Ion-Imprinted Polymers and Their Application for Ultrasensitive Detection and Efficient Removal of Mercury

doi:10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.250082

Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2025, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (12): 1679-1690.DOI: 10.19894/j.issn.1000-0518.250082

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Preparation of Porous Aromatic Framework-Based Ion-Imprinted Polymers and Their Application for Ultrasensitive Detection and Efficient Removal of Mercury

Hai-Di SU¹, Shi-Xin CHEN¹, Ying TIAN², Zu-Yin CAO¹, Hong-Fei ZHOU³, Chun-Long XIA³, Bo CUI⁴, Hui-Min SHAO⁴, Nai-Shun BU¹(), Cong LI³()

^1.College of Environment，Liaoning University，Shenyang 110036，China
^2.Liaoning River and Reservoir Management Service Center，Shenyang 110055，China
^3.Fushun Hydrological Bureau of Liaoning Province，Fushun 113005，China
^4.College of Chemistry，Liaoning University，Shenyang 110036，China

Received:2025-02-27 Accepted:2025-09-08 Published:2025-12-01 Online:2025-12-30
Contact: Nai-Shun BU,Cong LI
Supported by:
the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31972522);the Basic Scientific Research Project of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education for Universities, the Social Governance Science and Technology Special Project of Shenyang Science and Technology Bureau, the Basic Scientific Research Project of Liaoning University, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students of Liaoning University and the Research Project of Fushun Water Affairs Bureau

Abstract

Abstract:

A novel porous aromatic framework material， designated as LNU-21， was constructed via an ion imprinting strategy to create specific binding geometric cavities for mercury ion recognition. These cavities were directionally anchored onto the framework through Suzuki coupling reactions. The material was comprehensively characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FT-IR）， X-ray diffraction （XRD）， scanning electron microscopy （SEM）， and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller （BET） surface area analysis. The morphology， adsorption characteristics， and Hg²⁺ detection performance of LNU-21 were thoroughly investigated. Experimental results demonstrate that LNU-21 exhibits dual functionality for simultaneous detection and adsorption of Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous solutions， owing to its tailored recognition cavities， high porosity， and extended π-conjugated system. At a low Hg²⁺ concentration of 4.8×10^-5 mol/L， LNU-21 achieved a high fluorescence quenching efficiency of 80%. In the presence of competing ions， the selectivity coefficients for Hg2? ranged from 10.83 （Hg²⁺/Cu²⁺） to 16.07 （Hg²⁺/Ba²⁺）， indicating exceptional specificity. The adsorption kinetics of Hg²⁺ onto LNU-21 followed a pseudo-second-order model， suggesting chemisorption-dominated behavior. The adsorption isotherm conformed to the Langmuir model， confirming monolayer adsorption with a maximum capacity of 150 mg/g. Moreover， LNU-21 exhibited excellent recyclability， maintaining over 86% removal efficiency after five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. This study provides a innovative strategy for designing porous materials capable of synchronous detection and removal of Hg²⁺ ions， offering practical potential for treating mercury-contaminated wastewater.

Key words: Porous aromatic framework materials, Ion imprinting, Mercury ion recognition cavity, Fluorescence detection, Mercury ion removal

CLC Number:

O622.7

Hai-Di SU, Shi-Xin CHEN, Ying TIAN, Zu-Yin CAO, Hong-Fei ZHOU, Chun-Long XIA, Bo CUI, Hui-Min SHAO, Nai-Shun BU, Cong LI. Preparation of Porous Aromatic Framework-Based Ion-Imprinted Polymers and Their Application for Ultrasensitive Detection and Efficient Removal of Mercury[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2025, 42(12): 1679-1690.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig.1 Synthetic route to LNU-21

Fig.2 FT-IR spectra of LNU-21 and its monomers （A）； Solid 13C NMR profile of LNU-21 （B）； XRD pattern of LNU-21 powder （C）； TGA curve of LNU-21 （D）

Fig.3 SEM （A） and TEM （B） images of LNU-21

Fig.4 Porosity （A） and pore size distribution （B） of LNU-21

Fig.5 UV spectrum of solid LNU-21 （A）； Fluorescence intensity of LNU-21 in different solvents （B）； Fluorescence intensity of LNU-21 in different concentrations of tetrahydrofuran solvents （C）； Fluorescence intensity of LNU-21 before and after the addition of mercury ions （D）

Fig.6 Fluorescence selectivity （A）； Effect of time on the adsorption of Hg2+ （B）； Fitting with the Pseudo-second-order kinetic model （C）（Inset： Fitting with the Pseudo-first-order kinetic model）； Fitting with the Weibull-Morris model （D）； Fitting with the Langmuir and Freundlich model （E）； Recycling efficiency of LNU-21 （F）

Fig.7 FT-IR spectra of LNU-21 before and after adsorption of mercury ions

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Preparation of Porous Aromatic Framework-Based Ion-Imprinted Polymers and Their Application for Ultrasensitive Detection and Efficient Removal of Mercury

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