To achieve a fast adsorption rate and a high adsorption capacity in the selective adsorption of Cr(VI) from wastewater, a novel Cr(VI) ion imprinted polymer (Cr(VI)-IIP) was synthesized by bulk polymerization with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a crosslinking agent, azodiisobutyronitrile as an initiator, and acetone as a solvent. Eight functional monomers, including acidic, basic and neutral agents, were investigated in the synthesis of Cr(VI)-IIPs. The Cr(VI)-IIP prepared with 4-vinyl pyridine (4-VP) as a functional monomer provided the highest adsorption capacity, which was characterized by Fourier infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, Brunauer, Emmett and Teller and scanning electron microscopy. The influences of functional monomer amount, crosslinking agent, initiator, solvent, pH in aqueous solution, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and so on, on adsorption performance were studied. The adsorption process of Cr(VI)-IIP followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The electrostatic interactions between Cr(VI) anion and the protonated N atoms of the functional pyridine groups on prepared IIPs could enhance the adsorption capacity and adsorption rate. Under the optimal operating conditions, the maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI)-IIP prepared with 4-VP was up to 338.73 mg g−1, and the adsorption equilibrium was reached within 3 min. The Cr(VI)-IIPs also showed good selectivity, reusability and stability. The selectivity coefficient was up to 189.05 and 96.56 for Cr(VI)/Cu(II) and Cr(VI)/Cr(III), respectively.
In this paper, the extraction of phenol from wastewater using cumene as an extractant is investigated. H2SO4 and HCl are used for the pH adjustment of the wastewater. The effects of extraction temperature, pH value, initial concentration, and phase ratio on the extraction performance are studied. The results show that the distribution coefficient D increases with the increase in extraction temperature (from 25 to 55°C) and the decrease in pH value of the aqueous phase (from 13.0 to 0.0). The type of the acids and the initial concentration of phenol show a weak effect on the distribution coefficient. The stripping of loaded organic and the reuse of extractant are also discussed.