Preparation of Chelating Resins Containing a Pair of Neighboring Carboxylic Acid Groups and the Adsorption Characteristics for Heavy Metal Ions

Abstract

For the functional enhancement of chelating resins containing carboxylic acids, copolymer beads were prepared by suspension polymerization of styrene (St), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and divinylbenzene (DVB) in the presence of toluene as diluent. The phenyl rings of the beads were directly chloromethylated, and the carboxylic ester groups of the beads were converted into hydroxymethyl groups by reduction followed by chlorination to give chloromethyl groups, respectively. The chelating resins containing a pair of neighboring carboxylic acid groups (NCAGs) were obtained by the alkylation of chloromethyl groups in copolymer beads with diethyl malonate in the presence of sodium hydride followed by hydrolysis using aqueous alkali solution. Accordingly, the structural effects of the resins on the adsorption of heavy metal ions were investigated. Poly(St‐co‐DVB)‐based chelating resin containing NCAGs showed adsorption abilities toward heavy metal ions like Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Cu²⁺, whereas poly(MMA‐co‐DVB)‐based chelating resin containing NCAGs showed adsorption abilities toward heavy metal ions like Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Co²⁺. On the other hand, poly(St‐co‐MMA‐co‐DVB)‐based chelating resin containing NCAGs showed adsorption abilities toward heavy metal ions like Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, and Cu²⁺: a synergistic effect on the adsorption of heavy metal ions like Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Co²⁺ was observed. The adsorption ability of poly(St‐co‐MMA‐co‐DVB)‐based chelating resin among three kinds of chelating resins was relatively good.     

Conversion of soybean oil into ion exchange resins: Removal of copper (II), nickel (II), and cobalt (II) ions from dilute aqueous solution using carboxylate‐containing resin

An ion‐exchange resin containing carboxylic acid groups was prepared by reaction of epoxidized soybean oil with triethylene tetramine, followed by hydrolysis of glycerides by using sodium hydroxide solution. The cation exchange capacity of the resins was determined to be 3.50 mequiv/g. The adsorption capacity for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ on the obtained resin at pH 5.0 was found to be 192, 96, and 78 mg/g, respectively. Effect of pH on the adsorption capacity for copper (II), nickel (II), and cobalt (II) ions were also studied. Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ were adsorbed at a pH above 3. These metal ions adsorbed on the resin are easily eluted by using 1N HCl solution. The selectivity of the resin for Cu²⁺ from mixtures containing Cu²⁺/Co²⁺/Ni²⁺ ions in the presence of sodium chloride was also investigated © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2386–2396, 2002     

Preparation and adsorption properties of the chelating fibers containing amino groups

Four kinds of amino-group-containing chelating fibers were prepared by reacting diethylenetriamine, diethanolamine, diethylamine, and aminopyridine, respectively, with a grafted fiber PVA-g-GMA containing epoxy groups. The γ-ray preirradiation initiated graft copolymerization of GMA onto PVA fiber, the functionalization of the grafted fiber PVA-g-GMA with amino compounds, and the adsorption properties of the obtained chelating fibers were systematically investigated. It is concluded that with increasing monomer concentration, reaction time, and temperature, the grafting percentage increases significantly. In the functionalization of the grafted fiber, reaction time, temperature, solvent, and amount of amine used greatly influence the reaction. 1,4-Dioxane is a reasonable solvent for the reaction. The chelating fibers present great adsorption amounts and high adsorption rates for Cu²⁺ ion and Au³⁺ ion. Among the chelating fibers, the fiber with diethylenetriamine group is the most reasonable chelating fiber for the adsorption of Cu²⁺ and Au³⁺. The chelating fibers present good selectivities for Cu²⁺ in the solution with Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, and Zn²⁺, while presenting quite high selectivities for Au³⁺ ion in the solution with Cu²⁺, Au³⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cr³⁺ ions. The chelating fiber with diethanolamine or diethylamine can reduce the adsorbed Au³⁺ into metallic gold. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Chelating polymer bearing triazolylazophenol moiety as the functional group

The chelating polymer-bearing triazolylazophenol moiety as the functional group was synthesized, its metal adsorption properties for 6 divalent heavy metal ions; Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ were investigated. The capacity of the polymer for Cu²⁺ achieved 8.7 mEq/g in pH 5.3 solution. The polymer showed remarkable color changes from orange to red violet or blue violet with its chelations to the heavy metal ions. The metal adsorption rates of the polymer were rapid in performing complete capacity saturation of heavy metal ions in about 30 min. The capacities varied little the presence of alkali or alkaline earth metal ions in solutions. The perfect elimination of metals from the polymer–M²⁺ chelates were performed with mineral acid solutions. The metal ions; Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ in plating-process solutions were effectively removed by the chelating polymer, and the polymer can be practically used for the removal of these ions from waste water.     

Synthesis and adsorption properties,toward some heavy metal ions,of a new polystyrene‐based terpyridine polymer

A novel polymeric ligand having 2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine as pendant group was prepared through a Williamson type etherification approach for the reaction between 4′‐hydroxy‐2,2′: 6′,2″‐terpyridine and the commercially available 4‐chloromethyl polystyrene. The chelating properties of the new polymer toward the divalent metal ions (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺) in aqueous solutions was studied by a batch equilibration technique as a function of contact time, pH, mass of resin, and concentration of metal ions. The amount of metal‐ion uptake of the polymer was determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry. Results of the study revealed that the resin exhibited higher capacities and a more pronounced adsorption toward Pb²⁺ and that the metal‐ion uptake follows the order: Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺. The adsorption and binding capacity of the resin toward the various metal ions investigated are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(hydroxamic acid) chelating resin from poly(methyl acrylate)‐grafted sago starch

A new chelating ion‐exchange resin containing the hydroxamic acid functional group was synthesized from poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA)‐grafted sago starch. The PMA grafted copolymer was obtained by a free‐radical initiating process in which ceric ammonium nitrate was used as an initiator. Conversion of the ester groups of the PMA‐grafted copolymer into hydroxamic acid was carried out by treatment of an ester with hydroxylamine in an alkaline solution. The characterization of the poly(hydroxamic acid) chelating resin was performed by FTIR spectroscopy, TG, and DSC analyses. The hydroxamic acid functional group was identified by infrared spectroscopy. The chelating behavior of the prepared resin toward some metal ions was investigated using a batch technique. The binding capacities of copper, iron, chromium, and nickel were excellent and the copper capacity was maximum (3.46 mmol g⁻¹) at pH 6. The rate of exchange of the copper ion was very fast that is, t_1/2 < 5 min. It was also observed that the metal ion‐sorption capacities of the resin were pH‐dependent and its selectivity toward the metal ions used is in the following order: Cu²⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Cr³⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > As³⁺ > Pb²⁺. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1256–1264, 2001     

Removal of heavy‐metal ions from aqueous solution with nanochelating resins based on poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride)

Chelating resins have been considered to be suitable materials for the recovery of heavy metals in water treatments. A chelating resin based on modified poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) with 2‐aminopyridine was synthesized. This modified resin was further reacted with 1,2‐diaminoethan or 1,3‐diaminopropane in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation for the preparation of a tridimensional chelating resin on the nanoscale for the recovery of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. The adsorption behavior of Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺ ions were investigated by the synthesis of chelating resins at various pH's. The prepared resins showed a good tendency for removing the selected metal ions from aqueous solution, even at acidic pH. Also, the prepared resins were examined for the removal of metal ions from industrial wastewater and were shown to be very efficient at adsorption in the cases of Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Pb²⁺. However; the adsorption of Zn²⁺ was lower than those of the others. The resin was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Metal‐chelated polyamide hollow fibers for human serum albumin separation

We modified microporous polyamide hollow fibers by acid hydrolysis to amplify the reactive groups and subsequent binding of Cibacron Blue F3GA. Then, we loaded the Cibacron Blue F3GA‐attached hollow fibers with different metal ions (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺) to form the metal chelates. We characterized the hollow fibers by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of pH and initial concentration of human serum albumin (HSA) on the adsorption of HSA to the metal‐chelated hollow fibers were examined in a batch system. Dye‐ and metal‐chelated hollow fibers had a higher HSA adsorption capacity and showed less nonspecific protein adsorption. The nonspecific adsorption of HSA onto the polyamide hollow fibers was 6.0 mg/g. Cibacron Blue F3GA immobilization onto the hollow fibers increased HSA adsorption up to 147 mg/g. Metal‐chelated hollow fibers showed further increases in the adsorption capacity. The maximum adsorption capacities of Co²⁺‐, Cu²⁺‐, and Ni²⁺‐chelated hollow fibers were 195, 226, and 289 mg/g, respectively. The recognition range of metal ions for HSA from human serum followed the order: Ni(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II). A higher HSA adsorption was observed from human serum (324 mg/g). A significant amount of the adsorbed HSA (up to 99%) was eluted for 1 h in the elution medium containing 1.0M sodium thiocyanide (NaSCN) at pH 8.0 and 25 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at pH 4.9. Repeated adsorption–desorption processes showed that these metal‐chelated polyamide hollow fibers were suitable for HSA adsorption. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3346–3354, 2002     

Synthesis of polystyrene‐supported glucosamine resin and its adsorption properties for metal ions

A novel chelating resin polystyrene‐supported glucosamine was prepared by the reaction of chloromethylated polystyrene with glucosamine hydrochlorate, using anhydrous potassium carbonate as catalyst and dimethylformamide as solvent. Infrared spectra and elementary analysis were used to confirm its structure. The adsorption of the resin for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ was investigated, as well as various factors affecting the adsorption such as time, temperature, ion concentration, and pH. The results showed that the resin had good adsorption capacities for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Hg²⁺. The adsorption was controlled by liquid film diffusion and adsorption isothermal data could be well interpreted by the Freundlich equation. Values of adsorption activation energy and adsorption Gibbs free energy were calculated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 890–896, 2005     

Sorption properties of the iminodiacetate ion exchange resin,amberlite IRC‐718, toward divalent metal ions

The sorption properties of the commercially available cationic exchange resin, Amberlite IRC‐718, that has the iminodiacetic acid functionality, toward the divalent metal‐ions, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺ were investigated by a batch equilibration technique at 25°C as a function of contact time, metal ion concentration, mass of resin used, and pH. Results of the study revealed that the resin exhibited higher capacities and a more pronounced adsorption toward Fe²⁺ and that the metal‐ion uptake follows the order: Fe²⁺ > Cu²⁺> Zn²⁺ >Ni²⁺. The adsorption and binding capacity of the resin toward the various metal ions investigated are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis and adsorption properties of macroporous cross‐linked polystyrene that contains an immobilizing 2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiodiazole with tetraethylene glycol spacers

A novel chelating resin macroporous cross‐linked polystyrene immobilizing 2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiodiazole via a hydrophilic tetraethylene glycol spacer (PS‐TEG‐BMT) is synthesized and the structure is characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X‐ray microanalysis (EDX), and elementary analysis. Its adsorption capacity for several metal ions such as Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺, Bi³⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ are investigated. The initial experimental result shows that this resin has higher adsorption selectivity for Hg²⁺ and Ni²⁺ than for the other metal ions and the introduction of hydrophilic TEG spacer is beneficial to increase adsorption capacities. The result also shows that the Langmuir model is better than the Freundlich model to describe the isothermal process of PS‐TEG‐BME resin for Hg²⁺. Five adsorption‐desorption cycles demonstrate that this resin are suitable for reuse without considerable change in adsorption capacity. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:1515–1521, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis of chelating resins with iminodiacetic acid and its wastewater treatment application

The chelating resins have high potential applications for the selective removal and recovery of metal ions from industrial waste solutions. The hydrophilic acrylate monomer with the iminodiacetic acid chelating group was prepared from glycidyl methacrylate and iminodiacetic acid at 60°C. The microbeads, prepared from acrylate monomer with the iminodiacetic acid chelating group, were employed by inversion suspension polymerization. In the pH range of 2–6, a reasonably good equilibrium sorption capacity is maintained for Cr³⁺ (ca. 2.7 mmol/g) and Cu²⁺ (ca. 1.8 mmol/g) in the chelating resins. The adsorption of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ on microbeads is clearly affected by the pH of the solution, such that these ions' adsorption capacity increased with the pH of the aqueous solution. The adsorption of Cd²⁺ (ca. 1.25–1.87 mmol/g) and Pb²⁺ (ca. 0.99–1.89 mmol/g) showed a maximum at approximately pH = 5 and 6, respectively. The adsorption isotherms of Cr³⁺ and Cu²⁺ adsorbed on microbeads were following the Langmuir isotherm, but the adsorption behavior of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ were not. The concentration of alkaline earth–metal cations on the range of 0–200 ppm had no influence on metal ions adsorbed capacity of chelating resins. Additionally, NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid) had no significant influence on metal ion adsorption by chelating resins. Furthermore, phenol pollutant can be adsorbed effectively by metal ions chelated microbeads; therefore, the microbeads were useful not only in recovering metal ions but also in the treating phenol pollutants in wastewater. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1353–1362, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10243     

Studies of selective adsorption resins. XXV. Preparation of macroreticular chelating resins containing aminomethylphosphonic acid groups from methyl methacrylate/divinylbenzene copolymer beads and their adsorption capacity

Macroreticular chelating resins containing aminomethylphosphonic acid groups were prepared by reaction of methyl methacrylate/divinylbenzene copolymer beads with triethylenetetramine, followed by the reaction of the products with phosphorous acid and formaline. The adsorption capacities of this resin for Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ were determined at various pH values. The order of chelate stability for the resin was Cu²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺. Copper, nickel, zinc, calcium, and magnesium ions can be eluted with 1 mol dm^?3 hydrochloric acid. The proposed resin appears to be useful for the removal of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ from salt solution.     

Synthesis of a polyacrylamide chelating resin and applications in metal ion extractions

A series of differently crosslinked polyacrylamide chelating resins were prepared, using N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide as the crosslinking agent. The crosslinked resins were functionalized by the reaction with ethylene diamine to get amino group capacities varying from 4.2 to 1.1 mequiv/g. The maximum adsorption capacities of the lightly crosslinked resin for Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ are 3.62, 4.22, 1.48, and 1.67 mequiv/g, respectively. The adsorbed metal ions can be quantitatively desorbed. The adsorption rate and the influence of pH on the adsorption of metal ions were examined. The resins can be used for the separation between different metal ions as well as the ions in different valence states (e.g., Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺). The resin is amenable for continuous process and can be regenerated several times.     

Electron Beam Grafted Polymer Adsorbent for Removal of Heavy Metal Ion from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

An electron beam grafted adsorbent was synthesized by post irradiation grafting of acrylonitrile (AN) on to a non‐woven thermally bonded polypropylene (PP) sheet using 2 MeV electron beam accelerator. The grafted poly(acrylonitrile) chains were chemically modified to convert a nitrile group to an amidoxime (AMO) group, a chelating group responsible for metal ion uptake from an aqueous solution. The effect of various experimental variables viz. dose, dose rate, temperature, and solvent composition on the grafting extent was investigated. PP grafted with the amidoxime group (AMO‐g‐PP) was tested for its suitability as an adsorbent for removal of heavy metal ions such as Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ from aqueous solution. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used to investigate the type of adsorption of these ions. The adsorption capacities of the adsorbent for the metal ions were found to follow the order Cd²⁺>Co²⁺>Ni²⁺>Mn²⁺. The kinetics of adsorption of these ions indicated that the rate of adsorption of Cd²⁺ was faster than that of other ions studied.     

Highly porous,water-swellable,and reusable chelating polymeric gels for heavy metal ion removal from aqueous waste

Sequestration and removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions pose multiple challenges. Ease of synthesis, high adsorption capacity and ease of regeneration are important considerations in the design of polymeric adsorbent materials developed for this purpose. To meet this objective, a new approach was used to design and synthesize a highly porous polystyrene-based resin (IDASR15) bearing iminodiacetate functional groups in every repeat unit by free radical polymerization with N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker followed by base hydrolysis. The physiochemical chemical properties of the resin were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, equilibrium swelling value (ESV) and thermogravimetric analysis. Metal uptake capacity of IDASR15 towards low concentrations of various toxic heavy metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Co³⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Al³⁺ were investigated from their aqueous solution by batch method and found to be 0.943–2.802 mmol/g. The maximum capacity was 2.802 mmol/g obtained for Cu²⁺ ion at pH 5. The potential for regeneration and reuse has been demonstrated with Cu²⁺ ion by batch and column methods. The reported results suggest that IDASR15 is a highly efficient and porous complexing agent for commonly found toxic metal ions in aqueous streams with a high ESV of 68.55 g of water/1.0 g of IDASR15. It could also be reused ~99.5% of adsorption efficiency which is very promising and holds significant potential for waste-water treatment applications.     

Chelation ion‐exchange study of copolymer resin derived from 8‐hydroxyquinoline 5‐sulphonic acid,oxamide, and formaldehyde

Copolymers (8‐HQ5‐SAOF) were synthesized by the condensation of 8‐hydroxyquinoline 5‐sulphonic acid (8‐HQ5‐SA) and oxamide (O) with formaldehyde (F) in the presence of acid catalyst. Four different copolymers were synthesized by using varied molar proportion of the reacting monomers. Copolymer resin composition has been determined on the basis of their elemental analysis and average molecular weights of these resins were determined by conductometric titration in nonaqueous medium. Viscometric measurement in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) has been carried out with a view to ascertain the characteristic functions and constants. Electronic spectra, FTIR, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were studied to elucidate the structures. The newly synthesized copolymer proved to be a selective chelating ion‐exchange copolymer for certain metals. The chelating ion‐exchange properties of this synthesized copolymer was studied for different metal ions such as Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺. A batch equilibrium method was used in the study of the selectivity of metal ion uptake involving the measurements of the distribution of a given metal ion between the copolymer sample and a solution containing the metal ion only for representative copolymer 8‐HQ5‐SAOF‐I due to economy of space. The study was carried out over a wide pH range, shaking time, and in media of various ionic strengths. The copolymer showed a higher selectivity for Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺ ions than for Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ ions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Thiourea modified hyper‐crosslinked polystyrene resin for heavy metal ions removal from aqueous solutions

A hyper‐crosslinked resin chemically modified with thiourea (TM‐HPS) was synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for the removal of heavy metal ions (Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Cu²⁺) from aqueous solutions. The structural characterization results showed that a few thiourea groups were grafted on the surface of the resin with a big BET surface area and a large number of narrow micropores. Various experimental conditions such as pH, contact time, temperature, and initial metal concentration of the three heavy metal ions onto TM‐HPS were investigated systematically. The results indicated that the prepared resin was effective for the removal of the heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. The isotherm data could be better fitted by Langmuir model, yielding maximum adsorption capacities of 689.65, 432.90, and 290.69 mg/g for Pd²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Cu²⁺, respectively. And the adsorption kinetics of the three metal ions followed the pseudo‐second‐order equation. FTIR and XPS analysis of TM‐HPS before and after adsorption further revealed that the adsorption mechanism could be a synergistic effect between functional groups and metal ions and electrostatic attraction, which may provide a new insight into the design of highly effective adsorbents and their potential technological applications for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45568.     

Selective removal of copper ions from multi‐component aqueous solutions using modified silica impregnated with LIX 84

A silica support impregnated with 2‐hydroxy‐5‐nonylacetophenone oxime (LIX 84) was prepared after surface modification by ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Fixed‐bed tests were conducted to investigate the capabilities of the prepared adsorbent with respect to the selective removal of copper ions from multi‐metal solutions. Break‐through curves were obtained using the modified silica for a solution containing Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Zn²⁺, as well as an industrial electronics wastewater sample. The copper adsorption capacities for the multi‐metal solution and the wastewater were 0.175 and 0.198 mmolg⁻¹, respectively under the conditions used in this study. The copper recovery ratios for the modified silica treated with the multi‐metal solution and the wastewater were 86 and 91%, respectively after treating with 0.1 moldm⁻³ HNO₃. The results show that the modified silica, prepared here, has potential value for the selective removal of copper ions from multi‐component aqueous solutions containing multi‐metals using a fixed‐bed reactor. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of glycidyl methacrylate containing diethanol amine and its binary copolymers with ethyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate as nano‐size chelating resins for removal of heavy metal ions

One of the most important applications of chelating and functional polymers is their capability to recover metal ions from their solutions. This study concerns the synthesis of a hydrophilic glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) monomer‐bearing diethanol amine (DEA) chelating group from the reaction of GMA and DEA. The formed adduct (A) was characterized via FTIR and mass spectra and subjected to homopolymerization and binary copolymerization with ethyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate. The copolymerization process was carried out via a semi‐batch emulsion polymerization technique by using potassium persulphate/sodium bisulphite as a redox pair initiation system and sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate as an emulsifier at 65°C. The obtained polymers were characterized via FTIR, thermal gravimetric analysis, and UV–VIS. Volume‐average diameters (D_v) in nanoscale range for the prepared polymers were confirmed by transmission electron microscope investigation. It was shown that the obtained nano‐size chelating polymers have a powerful adsorption character toward transition metal ions (Cu⁺², Cr⁺³, Ni⁺², and Co⁺²) and efficient selectivity for Cu⁺² and Ni⁺² ions at normal pH. The effects of pH, time, and different comonomer feed compositions on the uptake of metal ions were studied. The reaction between the obtained chelating resins and different metal ions was confirmed to be a second‐order reaction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010