Synthesis and metal ion uptake properties of water-insoluble functional copolymers: removal of metal ions with environmental impact

New adsorbents, poly(N-(3-dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide-co-acrylic acid), P(NDAPA-AA), poly(N-(3-dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide-co-4-acryloylmorpholine), P(NDAPA-AMo), and poly(N-(3-dimethylamino)propylmethacrylamide-co-2-acrylamidoglycolic acid), P(NDAPA-AAg) were obtained by radical polymerization and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. The uptake metal ion properties of cadmium(II), zinc(II), lead(II), mercury(II), and chromium(III) were examined by batch-equilibrium technique with respect to the initial pH, temperature, and initial metal ion concentration under competitive and noncompetitive conditions. Maximum adsorption capacity was determined. Acid and basic regeneration was tested in order to restore the adsorbent to initial conditions. Resins P(NDAPA-AA) and P(NDAPA-AMo) showed a great ability to retain Cr(III), whereas P(NDAPA-co-AAg) to retain Hg(II).