Specific nickel recovery using screen-printed carbon electrode electrografted with ionic liquid

This study presents an innovative electrochemical method for selectively extracting nickel ions from aquatic solutions, employing electrodes enhanced with electrografted ionic liquids. Specifically, a styrenyl-imidazolium ionic liquid (SI-IL) was synthesized, featuring a double bond for immobilization and an imidazole group targeting nickel ions. The electrografting process ensured uniform SI-IL distribution on the electrode's surface, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). SI-IL-treated electrodes exhibited notable selectivity towards nickel ions, efficiently recovering them as nanoparticles while reducing the required reduction potential. In pH conditions similar to industrial wastewater, SI-IL modified electrodes demonstrated substantial enhancement in nickel recovery rates compared to unmodified electrodes.