Synthesis of thiol chelating resins and their adsorption properties toward heavy metal ions

Abstract

Abstract A series of chelating resins, derived from a macroreticular styrene‐divinylbenzene (2%) copolymer beads grafted with various poly(ethylene glycols) HO(CH 2 CH 2 O) n H( n = 0, 4, 9, 13) and containing thiol groups as chelating functions, have been synthesized in a three‐step reaction sequence. The structure of the functionalized resins was confirmed by IR spectrophotometry, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The complexation behavior of these thiol resins was investigated towards Hg(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) ions in aqueous solution by a batch equilibration technique. The influence of pH on adsorption capacity was also examined. The adsorption values for metal ions' intake followed the order Hg(II) > Cu(II) > Pb(II). The affinity of these polymers towards Hg(II) ions was so high that the total mercury level in the liquid decreased from 20 ppm to below 10 ppb after 2 h of treatment. Polymers can be regenerated by washing with a solution of hydrochloric acid (6 N ) and 10% by weight of an aqueous solution of thiourea. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.