The current paper presents a novel Pb(II) ion-imprinted silica-supported organic–inorganic hybrid sorbent functionalized with chelating S,N-donor atoms by coupling a surface imprinting technique with a sol–gel process for the selective adsorption of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution. Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms were used to characterize the Pb(II)-imprinted hybrid sorbent. The results revealed that the Pb(II)-imprinted hybrid sorbent had high adsorption capacity (54.9 mg g−1), fast adsorption equilibrium rate within 30 min, wide pH range (3.5–6.5) for constant adsorption capacity, high selectivity, and good regeneration performance.
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