Synthesis and application of nano-pore size ion imprinted polymer for solid phase extraction and determination of zinc in different matrices

A new Zn(II) ion imprinted polymer (IIP) has been synthesized. The imprinted Zn(II) ions were completely removed by leaching the IIP with HCl (6 mol L−1) and were characterized by FT-IR and SEM. The maximum sorption capacity of IIP for Zn(II) ions was found to be 2.73 mg g−1. Variables affecting the IIP solid phase extraction were optimized by MultiSimplex and univariable methods. Sample volumes of 60 and 250 mL resulted in a preconcentration factor of 28 and 118, respectively. Precision (n = 7) at 30 μg L−1 and 5 μg L−1 level for 60 and 250 mL samples were found to be 2.5% and 3.4%. With preconcentration of 60 and 250 mL of samples, detection limits of 1.02 μg L−1 and 0.48 μg L−1 were determined. The method was successfully applied to the determination of zinc in various natural water samples and cereal samples and certified references samples.