Metal Ion Imprinted Polymer Preparation Using Water Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing metal ion imprinted polymers require expensive liquid perfluorocarbons and face challenges with attraction between water and functional groups during polymerization, limiting their industrial application.
Innovation Solution
A process involving reacting a metal salt with a monomer to form a metal ion-containing monomer, mixing with a cross-linker and initiator in a polar solvent, and then suspension or emulsion polymerization to create a metal ion imprinted polymer without using liquid perfluorocarbons, allowing for selective separation of heavy metal ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid perfluorocarbon is used as dispersion solvent in emulsion or suspension polymerization, then the polymerization process can proceed without attraction between water and functional groups, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive liquid perfluorocarbon with water, a cheap and readily available solvent. Although water causes attraction issues with functional groups, the patent accepts this trade-off by using inexpensive materials, sacrificing some process stability for significant cost reduction and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from liquid perfluorocarbon to water, fundamentally altering the polymerization system. This parameter change enables the use of cheap, non-toxic water while managing the attraction issue through formulation adjustments and process optimization.
2Ease of manufacture
If water is used as dispersion solvent instead of liquid perfluorocarbon, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but attraction between water and functional groups disrupts the polymerization process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful attraction between water and functional groups into a beneficial effect. By carefully controlling the polymerization conditions and using water as the dispersion medium, the patent achieves stable polymerization while maintaining the integrity of functional groups, ultimately improving the performance and selectivity of the resulting metal ion imprinted polymer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance or mechanism that mediates between water and functional groups. This intermediary prevents direct harmful interactions while allowing the polymerization to proceed effectively, enabling the use of cheap water-based systems without sacrificing process reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional MIP preparation methods are used with polar porogens, then the polymerization can proceed easily, but the bonds between template and functional monomers are destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-polar microenvironment within the polymer matrix where template-monomer bonds are preserved, while the bulk solvent remains polar and water-based. This is achieved through the use of non-polar porogens or modified polymer structures that provide localized protection for sensitive bonds during polymerization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert or non-polar environment during polymerization to protect template-monomer bonds from destruction by polar solvents. By using non-polar porogens or modifying the polymerization conditions to minimize polar interactions, the patent maintains bond integrity while still using water as the dispersion medium.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the cost-effective preparation of metal ion imprinted polymers that can selectively separate heavy metal ions, with controlled particle size and increased surface area for enhanced separation efficiency, applicable in HPLC fillers, artificial enzymes, and sensors.
Implementation Method 1
reacting a metal salt molecule and a monomer to make a monomer containing a metal ion group
Implementation Method 2
suspension polymerizing or emulsion polymerizing the obtained mixture to obtain a metal ion imprinted polymer
Implementation Method 3
selective separation of heavy metal ions using metal ion imprinted polymer (MIIP)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a metal ion imprinted polymer which can selectively separate heavy metal ions, comprising: (a) reacting a metal salt and a monomer to make a monomer containing a metal ion group; (b) mixing the monomer containing the metal ion group, a cross-linker and an initiator in a solvent; (c) suspension polymerizing or emulsion polymerizing the obtained mixture to obtain a metal ion imprinted polymer containing a metal ion; and (d) removing the imprinted metal ion from said metal ion imprinted polymer.