Molecularly imprinted ion exchange resin for purification, preconcentration and determination of UO22+ by spectrophotometry and plasma spectrometry

A new ion exchange resin based on a UO22+ imprinted polymer was used for th e removal and concentration of UO22+ from aqueous solution prior to spectro scopic determination. The imprinted resin performance is compared with resu lts obtained using Chelex-100 ion exchange resin. The UO22+ ion imprinted r esin, being more selective towards UO22+ ion, provides a fast and virtually interference-free preconcentration procedure. The separation provides for the elimination of interferences in photometry and plasma spectroscopy, imp roves accuracy and lowers limits of detection. The performance of the impri nted resin allows for the development of a field test kit for the determina tion of UO22+ in environmental samples based on colorimetric analysis. A mi ni-column permitted large enrichment factors to be attained, provided rapid processing of large volumes and quantitative recovery of UO22+ With an elu ent suitable for photometric analysis. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.