Determination and preconcentration of uranium by using ion imprinted polymers

In this study, determination of uranium at ppb level in natural waters such as lake, river and groundwater was purposed. For this purpose, uranium ion-imprinted polymers were synthesized that provided preconcentration for only uranium. The synthesized polymer structure was characterized by using FTIR, SEM and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The imprinted uranium from uranium-ion imprinted polymers was extracted by using HCl acid, 4 times. Optimization studies were carried out to use in the preconcentration of Uranium imprinted polymers removed uranium ion. For this purpose, pH=4.5, stirring time of 30 min, 3 M HClO4 for elution species and concentration, first volume of 500 mL and final volume of 10 mL were found as optimum values. The measurements were carried out at 651±2 nm by arsenazo (III)-UV Visible Molecular Absorption Spectrophotometry. The optimised preconcentration method was applied for determination of uranium in natural waters including ground water, river and lake waters. While values lower than limit of quantitation were found in ground water and river water, it was found as average 57.0 µg L-1 in the Van Lake water. To check validation of the results, t test was applied to results obtained by ICP-MS based on a different basic and it was found that the results are accurate.