Branched Polyethyleneimine-Functionalized Polystyrene Resin: Preparation and Adsorption of Cu2+

A polyamine-functionalized polystyrene adsorption resin (PSAPA) containing C=N functional groups was prepared via condensation reaction of acetylated polystyrene resin (PSA) with branched polyethyleneimine (PEI). Multiple reaction factors for the PSAPA preparation were screened to afford an optimal total exchange capacity of 3.953 mmol/g. This PSAPA showed decent adsorptive activity toward Cu2+ in aqueous with an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 1.766 mmol/g. Kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption of Cu2+ by resin PSAPA conforms to the pseudo second-order kinetics, and the adsorption rate was controlled by the intraparticle diffusion. Sorption isotherms were well fitted by the Freundlich model. Thermodynamic parameters suggested an exothermic process, which mainly relies on physical adsorption.