Ion imprinted polymer (IIP) material of mesoporous nature was prepared in two steps: (i) by forming binary/ternary complexes of uranyl imprint ion with a suitable non-vinylated uranophile, formamidoxime
and/or vinylated ligand, 4-vinyl pyridine (VP) and (ii) by thermally copolymerizing them with 2-hydroxy
ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as
the cross-linking monomer in presence of 2,20
-azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator and 2-methoxy ethanol
as porogen. The IIP material formed was subsequently leached with 50% (v/v) HCl to obtain leached materials which then rebind uranyl ions selectively from aqueous solutions. Corresponding non-imprinted
polymer (NIP) materials were also prepared under the same conditions exactly as the IIP but in the
absence of the uranyl ion template. Extensive characterization of IIP (both unleached and leached) and
NIP materials were done using SEM, XPS, EDS, IR and BET-surface area and pore size analysis. The optimal
pH for quantitative removal is 8.0–9.0 and the IIP materials offered either higher or comparable retention
capacity 80.0 lmol of uranyl ion per g of polymer with respect to most of the hitherto prepared uranyl IIP
materials. In addition, the imprinting effect was noticed in all the experimental variables and selectivity
characteristics. The applicability of IIP material for the removal of emerging toxic pollutant uranium from
uranium mining industry feed simulant solution is successfully demonstrated.