Feasible fabrication of o-phenanthroline-based polymer adsorbent for selective capture of aqueous Ag(I)

Devising a desirable adsorbent for efficiently selective capture of Ag(I) from wastewater has attracted much attention but faced with huge challenges. Herein, a novel linear o-phenanthroline-based polymer l-PRL was prepared via chemical oxidative polymerization for the adsorption of Ag(I). The maximum adsorption capacity for Ag(I) by l-PRL is 325.8 mg/g at pH 0. In addition, l-PRL owes ascendant selectivity for Ag(I) from aqueous solutions containing various interfering metal ions of Pb(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Fe(III). Multiple characterizations of FT-IR and XPS uncover that the N groups on l-PRL act as adsorption sites to coordinate with Ag(I). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further evidence the mechanism that l-PRL is provided with the admirable adsorptivity and selectivity for Ag(I). It is mainly attributed to the most stable complexes of l-PRL with Ag(I), which possesses shortest Ag-N bond length compared with other heavy metal ions. Furthermore, 93.5% of initial adsorption capacity is reserved after four continuous regeneration cycles, indicating that l-PRL is equipped with superior recyclability and durability, and l-PRL is capable of removing Ag(I) in low-concentration actual Ag(I)-containing wastewater completely. This study shed light on the rational design of polymer adsorbents and in-depth insight into selective removal of aqueous Ag(I).