Tripropylamine quaternary ammonium salt-based monodisperse microspheres for efficient and rapid removal of I−/IO3− from aqueous solutions

Abstract

In this work, we report the efficient removal of I⁻/IO₃⁻ from wastewater by tripropylamine quaternary ammonium cation based monodisperse microspheres. Benefitting from the rapid solvent exchange process and the excellent ionic selectivity of tripropylamine quaternary ammonium cation, these microspheres show capture rate of 98% for I⁻ and 66% for IO₃⁻ at a concentration of 50 ppm. Meanwhile, they exhibit high adsorption capacities of 350 mg/g for I⁻ and 370 mg/g for IO₃⁻, coupling with excellent reusability. These characteristics highlight their superior practicability for removal of iodine, particularly in the context of radioactive iodine-contaminated water.