Synthesis, characterization of a new tamarind based ion exchange resin and use for the separation of heavy metal ions in industrial wastewater

A new tamarind kernel powder based resin containing 1-napthol-3,6-disulphonic acid group has been synthesized by modified Porath's method of functionalisation of polysaccharides. Resin synthesized from TKP possesses an excellent ion-exchange property due to high selectivity for metal ions. The resin was characterized on the basis of chemical composition, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ion-exchange capacity, thermogravimetric analysis and physicochemical properties. The distribution coefficient (K-d) values and influence of pH on chelation of these metal ions were studied using batch method. The separations of mixture of Fe-II, Cu-II, Zn-II, Cd-II and Pb-II metal ions on TNDSA resin on the basis of their distribution coefficient at various pH were also achieved using column chromatograph. The effects of experimental parameters such as pH, treatment time, temperature and resin dose on the removal of metal ions have been also studied. These results show that TNDSA resin hold great potential to remove heavy metal species from industrial wastewater.