Temperature swing mutual separation of lanthanide ions using Thermoresponsive polymer brushes

Abstract

Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with tria-zole copolymer brushes, poly(NIPAAm-co-TZ), grafted on porous silica (P-SiO2) was synthesized, and the temperature swing-based mutual separation of trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln3+) was demonstrated. The results indicated that the polymer brushes enabled adsorption/desorption of Ln3+ depending on differences in the interactions between the individual Ln3+ and TZ moieties, and the hydration state.