Preparation and selective adsorption of surface-imprinted microspheres based on hyperbranched polyamide–functionalized sodium alginate for the removal of Sb(III)

In order to realize the good selective removal of Sb(III) from the multi-ions coexisting water, Sb(III)-imprinted hyperbranched polyamide–functionalized sodium alginate (IIPSA) microspheres were successfully prepared. IIPSA microspheres were characterised via FT-IR and SEM-EDS. The selective adsorption performances and reusability of IIPSA microspheres were investigated. Results showed that the optimum grafting conditions were the dosage of HA 1 g at 40 °C for 1 h and the optimum ion-imprinted conditions were the dosage of 2 wt % glutaraldehyde 100 mL at 60 °C for 2 h. Compared with non-imprinted microsphere, the maximum adsorption capacity of IIPSA microsphere improved by 52% and IIPSA microsphere had better selectivity for the removal of Sb(III) from solutions containing other ions. The adsorption mechanisms conformed to a monolayer adsorption dominated by chemical interactions with a spontaneous exothermic process. After 8 adsorption-desorption, the adsorption capacity of IIPSA microspheres retained more than 90%, and the Sb(III) selectivity was relatively stable.