Synthesis of functionalized phenolformaldehyde polymer resins by the reaction of 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone formaldehyde resin with various amines and their metal ion uptake properties

A series of functionalized phenolformaldehyde polymer resins have been synthesized by the reaction of 2,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone‐formaldehyde resin with the amines, such as ethanolamine, aminophenol, ethylenediamine, and propylenediamine in dichloromethane. The Schiffbase polymers were characterized by IR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. Thermal stabilities of the polymers were determined by TG and DTA studies. Heavy and toxic metal ions viz., Pb(II), Hg(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) have been removed using these polymer resins. Metal uptake efficiency, reusability, effect of pH, effect of time, and effect of initial concentration on the metal uptake were also studied. Amount of metal removed by the resin was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The retention properties were also tested under competitive conditions and were found to be depend strongly on the pH. Elution of metal ions were investigated in acid media. The uptake behaviour of the resins was approximately described by Freundlich's equation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1501–1509, 2004     

Selective separation and concentration of Pd(II) from Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) ions using thiourea‐formaldehyde resin

Thiourea‐formaldehyde (TUF), a well‐known chelating resin, has been synthesized and it was used in the adsorption, selective separation, and concentration of Pd(II) ions from Fe(III), Co(II) Ni(II), and Cu(II) base metal ions. The composition of the synthesized resin was determined by elemental analysis. The effect of initial acidity/pH and the adsorption capacity for Pd(II) ions were studied by batch technique. The adsorption and separation of Pd(II) were then examined by column technique. FTIR spectra and SEM/EDS analysis were also recorded before and after the adsorption of Pd(II). The optimum pH was found to be 4 for the adsorption. The adsorption data fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity of the TUF resin for Pd(II) ions was found to be 31.85 mg g⁻¹ (0.300 mmol g⁻¹). Chelating mechanism was effective in the adsorption. Pd(II) ions could be separated efficiently from Fe(III), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) ions using TUF resin. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene oxalate) Polymer and the Study of its Metal Uptake Behavior Toward Pb(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) Ions

Abstract

Poly(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene oxalate) was synthesized from oxalyl chloride and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propane diol. The polymer was characterized by inherent viscosity, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, DSC, and TGA. The polymer uptake behavior towards Pb(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) ions was studied by the batch equilibrium technique as a function of pH and contact time. The adsorption isotherms of metal ions were also investigated. Column experiments were used to determine the loading capacity and study desorption of metal ions. The polymer showed high metal-ion uptake capacity towards Pb(II), but moderate capacity towards Cd(II) and Hg(II) ions. Interestingly, the polymer was found to be highly selective for Pb(II) ions at pH 5 and 25°C. The metal ion uptake properties of the polymer show fittings for both Langmuir's and Freundlich equations. The metal-bound polymer was regenerated by treatment with 1 M HNO₃. Therefore, it may be employed for the removal of heavy metal pollutants in environmental and industrial applications.     

Separation of gold(III) ions from copper(II) and zinc(II) ions using thiourea–formaldehyde or urea–formaldehyde chelating resins

Thiourea–formaldehyde (TF) and urea–formaldehyde (UF) chelating resins were synthesized and these resins were used in the separation of gold(III) ions from copper(II) and zinc(II) base metal ions. In the experimental studies, the effect of acidity on gold(III) uptake and gold(III) adsorption capacities by batch method, and loading and elution profiles of gold(III) ions, gold(III), copper(II), and zinc(II), dynamic adsorption capacities and the stability tests of TF and UF resins by column method were examined. By batch method, the optimum acidities were found as pH 2 and 0.5M HCl, and gold(III) adsorption capacities in the solutions including copper(II) and zinc(II) ions were obtained as 0.088 and 0.151 meq Au(III)/g for UF and TF resins, respectively. On the other hand, by column method, the dynamic adsorption capacities were calculated as 0.109 meq Au(III)/g with TF, 0.023 meq Au(III)/g with UF, 0.015 meq Cu(II)/g with TF, 0.0057 meq Cu(II)/g with UF, and under 6.1 × 10^?5 meq Zn(II)/g with TF or UF. TF resin was more effective in the separation and the concentration of gold(III) ions from copper(II) and zinc(II) ions than UF resin. It was seen that sulfur atoms contributed the gold(III) adsorption comparing with oxygen atoms. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Separation and Recovery of Silver(I) Ions from Base Metal Ions by Melamine‐formaldehyde‐thiourea (MFT) Chelating Resin

Abstract

Melamine‐formaldehyde‐thiourea (MFT) chelating resin were prepared using melamine (2,4,6‐triamino‐1,3,5‐triazine), formaldehyde, and thiourea and this resin has been used for separation and recovery of silver(I) ions from copper(II) and zinc(II) base metals and calcium(II) alkaline‐earth metal in aqueous solution. The MFT chelating resin was characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR spectra. The effect of pH, adsorption capacity, and equilibrium time by batch method and adsorption, elution, flow rate, column capacity, and recovery by column method were studied. The maximum uptake values of MFT resin were found as 60.05 mg Ag⁺/g by batch method and 11.08 mg Ag⁺/g, 0.052 mg Zn²⁺/g, 0.083 mg Cu²⁺/g and 0.020 mg Ca²⁺/g by column method. It was seen that MFT resin showed higher uptake behavior for silver(I) ions than base and earth metals due to chelation.     

Preparation,characterization, and metal ion retention capacity of Co(II) and Ni(II) from poly(p‐HO‐ and p‐Cl‐phenylmaleimide‐co‐2‐hydroxypropylmethacrylate) using the ultra filtration technique

p‐Chlorophenylmaleimide and p‐hydroxyphenylmaleimide with 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate were synthesized by radical polymerization, and the metal ion retention capacity and thermal behavior of the copolymers were evaluated. The copolymers were obtained by solution radical polymerization with a 0.50 : 0.50 feed monomer ratio. The maximum retention capacity (MRC) for the removal of two metal ions, Co(II) and Ni(II) in aqueous phase were determined using the liquid‐phase polymer based retention technique. Inorganic ion interactions with the hydrophilic polymer were determined as a function of pH. The metal ion retention capacity does not depend strongly on the pH. Metal ion retention increased with an increase of pH for a copolymer composition 0.50 : 0.50. At different pH, the MRC of the poly(p‐chlorophenylmaleimide‐co‐2‐hydroxypropylmethacrylate) for Co(II) and Ni(II) ions varied from 44.1 to 48.6 mg/g and from 41.5 mg/g to 46.0 mg/g, respectively; while the MRC of poly(p‐hydroxyphenylmaleimide‐co‐2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate) for Co(II) and Ni(II) ions varied from 28.4 to 35.6 mg/g and from 27.2 to 30.8 mg/g, respectively. The copolymers and copolymer–metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and thermal behavior. The thermal behavior of the copolymer and polymer–metal complexes were studied using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry techniques under nitrogen atmosphere. The thermal decomposition temperature and T_g were influenced by the binding‐metal ion on the copolymer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of water‐soluble oligosalicylaldehyde‐sulfanilic acid and its Cu(II), Co(II), Pb(II) complexes

This work presents the synthesis and characterization of a new water‐soluble oligophenol derivative, 4‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneamino)benzenesulfanilic acid (OSAL‐SA) and its metal complexes. The chemical structure of the water‐soluble polymer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies and thermogravimetric analyses (TGAs). Pb(II), Cu(II), Co(II) complexes of the polymer were also synthesized in methanol. Characterizations of water insoluble polymer‐metal complexes were performed by FTIR, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, and TGA. The conductivity measurements of OSAL‐SA and polymer–metal complexes were carried out by the four‐probe technique. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

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     

Selective Separation of Uranium using Alizarin Red S (ARS)-Modified Anion-Exchange Resin or by Flotation of U-ARS Chelate

ABSTRACT

An alizarin red S (ARS)-modified anion-exchange resin was prepared by a simple reaction of ARS with the anion exchanger Doulite A101 and used for the efficient sorption of uranium from aqueous media. The effect of various parameters on the sorption of U(VI) (pH effect, sorption kinetics, resin capacity and breakthrough curves) was investigated. The modified resin sorbs U(VI) over a wide range of pH (2·8–5) with a maximum sorption capacity of 0·68 mmol.g^?1 at pH 3·2 to 4·0. Iron (III), Zr(IV), Ti(IV), Cu(II), and Th(IV) ions are also sorbed to different extents, but Be(II), Bi(III), Ca(II), Mg(II), Pb(II), Hg(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), AI(III), Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) are not sorbed; thus, conditions for separating U(VI) from these metal ions have been identified. For eluting U(VI) from the resin, 0·2 mol.L^?1 HCl was used and the recovery recorded was as high as 99.9%. The use of ARS is extended to float uranium quantitatively and selectively from aqueous media at pH = 4 by using oleic acid as a surfactant. The different parameters affecting the flotation process have also been investigated. Uranium(VI) has been effectively separated from natural water samples and certified uranium ores using both procedures.     

Synthesis and analytical application of a chelating resin based on a crosslinked styrene/maleic acid copolymer for the extraction of trace‐metal ions

A new chelating polymer sorbent was synthesized through the copolymerization of styrene and maleic anhydride in the presence of divinyl benzene as the crosslinking agent, followed by hydrolysis. This polymeric resin, bearing O donor groups, had the advantage of being stable in basic and saline media, unlike its linear analogue. This newly developed chelating matrix has a high resin capacity for metal ions such as Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Pb. Various physicochemical parameters, such as the pH, volume, and flow rate, and the interference effect on metal uptake were studied. The sorption capacities of the crosslinked resin for Cr(III), Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) were 10.2, 14.3, 14.2, 15.4, and 8.8 mg/g, respectively. A high recovery of 98% was obtained for all the metal ions with 2N HCl as the eluting agent. The chelating resin was characterized by swelling studies, Fourier transform infrared, elemental analysis, X‐ray studies, and thermal analysis. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were used to validate the metal‐uptake data. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1771–1779, 2004     

Adsorption characterization of lead(II) and cadmium(II) on crosslinked carboxymethyl starch

The adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions with crosslinked carboxymethyl starch (CCS) was investigated as function of the solution pH, contact time, initial metal‐ion concentration, and temperature. Isotherm studies revealed that the adsorption of metal ions onto CCS better followed the Langmuir isotherm and the Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm with adsorption maximum capacities of about 80.0 and 47.0 mg/g for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions, respectively. The mean free energies of adsorption were found to be between 8 and 16 kJ/mol for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions; this suggested that the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions onto CCS occurred with an ion‐exchange process. For two‐target heavy‐metal ion adsorption, a pseudo‐second‐order model and intraparticle diffusion seem significant in the rate‐controlling step, but the pseudo‐second‐order chemical reaction kinetics provide the best correlation for the experimental data. The enthalpy change for the process was found to be exothermic, and the ΔS^θ values were calculated to be negative for the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions onto CCS. Negative free enthalpy change values indicated that the adsorption process was feasible. The studies of the kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamics indicated that the adsorption of CCS was more effective for Pb(II) ions than for Cd(II) ions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

A modified cellulose adsorbent for the removal of nickel(II) from aqueous solutions

A series of adsorption studies was carried out on a glycidyl methacrylate‐ modified cellulose material functionalised with imidazole (Cellulose‐g‐GMA‐Imidazole) to assess its capacity in the removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution. The study sought to establish the effect of a number of parameters on the removal of Ni(II) from solution by the Cellulose‐g‐GMA‐Imidazole. In particular, the influence of initial metal concentration, contact time, solution temperature and pH were assessed. The studies indicated a Ni(II) uptake on the Cellulose‐g‐GMA‐Imidazole sorbent of approximately 48 mg g^?1 of nickel from aqueous solution. The adsorption process fitted the Langmuir model of adsorption and the binding process was mildly endothermic. The kinetics of the adsorption process indicated that nickel uptake occurred within 400 min and that pseudo‐second order kinetics best describe the overall adsorption process. Nickel(II) adsorption, recovery and re‐adsorption studies indicated that at highly acidic pH values the adsorbent material becomes unstable, but in the range pH 3–6, the adsorbent is stable and shows limited but significant Ni(II) recovery and re‐adsorption capability. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Selective retention properties to silver(I) and mercury(II) ions of poly(4‐vinylpyridine) methyl iodide studied by the liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention technique

The retention of various metal ions by water‐soluble poly(4‐vinylpyridine) methyl iodide in conjunction with ultrafiltration membrane was investigated. The method is based on the retention of inorganic ions by this polymer in a membrane filtration cell and subsequent separation of low‐molecular weight species from the polymer metal ion complex formed. It is shown that the polychelatogen can bind silver(I) and mercury(II) ions in aqueous solution at pH 1. At higher pH, the water‐soluble polymer can be applied to the separation and preconcentration of silver metal ions. Therefore, this polychelatogen is highly selective to Hg(II) at pH 1 with respect to metal ions such as Cd(II) and Zn(II). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2578–2582, 2001     

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(bisphenol A oxalate) and Studying its Chelating Behavior Towards Some Metal Ions

Abstract

Poly(bisphenol A oxalate) was synthesized by condensation polymerization of Bisphenol A and oxalyl chloride in dichloromethane under dry nitrogen atmosphere below 5°C. The resulting linear alternating polymer was characterized by inherent viscosity, FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR. The thermal behavior of the polymer was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The chelating behavior of the synthesized polymer towards some divalent metal ions was studied by the batch equilibrium technique as a function of pH and contact time. The isothermal behavior and kinetics of the metal ions uptake onto the polymer were also investigated. The polymer showed high rates of metal ion uptake toward Pb(II), Cu(II), and Mg(II), but low rates toward Ni(II) and Cd(II) in the measurement of metal uptake. Interestingly, the polymer was found to selectively chelate Pb(II) and Mg(II) ions in the concentration variation isotherm experiments.     

Recovery of Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) in Aqueous Solutions by Foam Fractionation with Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate in Combination with Chelating Agents

Abstract

Adsorptive bubble separation was used to remove polyvalent ion colligends Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solutions, for which optimum parametrical values that influenced the recovery of these ions were scrutinized. Additionally, the effect of some auxiliary ligands (malic acid, maleic acid, and EDTA) on the recovery was investigated. Sodiumdodecylsulphate (SDS) was used as a collector. The pH was measured as 5.5 and 4.0 for the solutions, which include metal∶SDS and metal∶SDS∶auxiliary ligand, respectively. In the metal : SDS mixtures, SDS has retained metal ions at pH 5.5, which was exactly the value of the membrane filtered water. Therefore, no further pH adjustment was necessary throughout the experiments. The metal ions were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES). The optimum experimental conditions (run time, SDS concentration, and the concentration of feed solution) on the recovery and enrichment of metal ions were also discussed. The maximum recovery rate was reached within 60 min. The optimum molar ratio between metal and SDS was found to be 1∶5, and it was shown that the recovery of metal ions increased with increasing concentration of SDS. The most suitable initial concentration of metal ions was 2×10^?5 M. The recovery rates for Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) in the presence of SDS was found to be 90.5, 99.8 and 73.4%, respectively. By adding malic acid, and maleic acid as auxiliary ligands, higher recovery rates were achieved, even in a shorter foaming time. For optimal recovery, the best molar ratio between metal:SDS:auxiliary ligand was 1∶5∶5.     

Chelation properties of poly(2‐hydroxy‐4‐acryloyloxybenzophenone) resins toward some divalent metal ions

The chelation behavior of poly(2‐hydroxy‐4‐acryloyloxybenzophenone) [poly(2H4ABP) or polymer I ] obtained through the free‐radical polymerization of 2‐hydroxy‐4‐acryloyloxybenzophenone monomer and for crosslinked polymers prepared from the monomer and known amounts of the crosslinker divinylbenzene (DVB) [4 mol % of DVB for polymer II, 8 mol % of DVB for polymer III, and 16 mol 16% of DVB for polymer IV ] toward the divalent metal ions Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺ in aqueous solution was studied by a batch equilibration technique as a function of contact time and pH. The effect of the crosslinker, DVB, was also studied. The metal‐ion uptake of the polymers was determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the highest uptake was achieved at pH 7.0 for polymers I, II, III, and IV. The selectivity and binding capacity of the resins toward the investigated divalent metal ions are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Studies of poly(8‐hydroxy‐4‐azoquinolinephenol‐formaldehyde) and its metal complexes

Poly(8‐hydroxy‐4‐azoquinolinephenol‐formaldehyde) resin (8H4AQPF) was prepared by condensing 8‐hydroxy 4‐azoquinoline phenol with formaldehyde (1 : 1 mol ratio) in the presence of oxalic acid. Polychelates were obtained when the DMF solution of poly(8H4AQPF) containing a few drops of ammonia was treated with the aqueous solution of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions. The polymeric resin and polymer–metal complexes were characterized with elemental analysis and spectral studies. The elemental analysis of the polymer–metal complexes suggested that the metal‐to‐ligand ratio was 1 : 2. The IR spectral data of the polychelates indicated that the metals were coordinated through the nitrogen and oxygen of the phenolic ? OH group. Diffuse reflectance spectra, electron paramagnetic resonance, and magnetic moment studies revealed that the polymer–metal complexes of the Cu(II) complexes were square planar and those of the Ni(II) complexes were octahedral. X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that the polymer metal complexes were crystalline. The thermal properties of the polymer and polymer–metal complexes were also examined. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1506–1510, 2006     

Investigation on selective adsorption of Hg(II) ions using 4‐vinyl pyridine grafted poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber

In the work, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers were grafted with 4‐vinyl pyridine (4‐VP) monomer using benzoyl peroxide (Bz₂O₂) as initiator in aqueous media. The removal of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solution by the reactive fiber was examined by batch equilibration technique. Effects of various parameters such as pH, graft yield, adsorption time, initial ion concentration, and adsorption temperature on the adsorption amount of metal ions onto reactive fibers were investigated. The optimum pH of Hg(II) was found 3. The maximum adsorption capacity was found as 137.18 mg g^?1. Moreover such parameters as the adsorption kinetics, the adsorption isotherm, desorption time and the selectivity of the reactive fiber were studied. The adsorption kinetics is in better agreement with pseudo‐first order kinetics, and the adsorption data are good fit with Freundlich isotherms. The grafted fiber is more selective for Hg(II) ions in the mixed solution of Hg(II)‐Ni(II), Hg(II)‐Zn(II), and Hg(II)‐Ni(II)‐Zn(II) at pH 3. Adsorbed Hg(II) ions were easily desorbed by treating with 1M HNO₃ at room temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Adsorption of Cr(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) ions onto phenolated wood resin

In this study, phenolated wood resin was used an adsorbent for the removal of Cr(III), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) ions by adsorption from aqueous solution. The adsorption of metal ions from solution was carried at different contact times, concentrations and pHs at room temperature (25°C). For individual metal ion, the amount of metal ions adsorbed per unit weight of phenolated wood resin at equilibrium time increased with increasing concentration and pH. Also, when the amounts of metal ions adsorbed are compared to each other, it was seen that this increase was order of Cr(III) > Ni(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II). This increase was order of Cr(III) > Ni(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process obeyed the intraparticle diffusion model. It was also determined that adsorption isotherm followed Langmuir and Freundlich models. Adsorption isotherm obtained for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin was consistent with Freundlich model well. Adsorption capacities from Langmuir isotherm for commercial phenol–formaldehyde resin were higher than those of phenolated wood resin, in the case of individual metal ions. Original adsorption isotherm demonstrated the monolayer coverage of the surface of phenolated wood resin. Adsorption kinetic followed the intraparticle diffusion model. The positive values of ΔG° determined using the equilibrium constants showed that the adsorption was not of spontaneous nature. It was seen that values of distribution coefficient (K_D) decreasing with metal ion concentration in solution at equilibrium (C_e) indicated that the occupation of active surface sites of adsorbent increased with metal ions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2838–2846, 2006     

Synthesis,characterization, and metal complexation of poly(N‐phenylmaleimide‐co‐acrylic acid) and poly(N‐phenylmaleimide‐co‐acrylamide) as polychelatogens in aqueous solution

We carried out the free‐radical copolymerization of N‐phenylmaleimide with acrylic acid and acrylamide with an equimolar feed monomer ratio. We carried out the synthesis of the copolymers in dioxane at 70°C with benzoyl peroxide as the initiator and a total monomer concentration of 2.5M. The copolymer compositions were obtained by elemental analysis and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The hydrophilic polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Additionally, viscosimetric measurements of the copolymers were performed. Hydrophilic poly(N‐phenylmaleimide‐co‐acrylic acid) and poly(N‐phenylmaleimide‐co‐acrylamide) were used for the separation of a series of metal ions in the aqueous phase with the liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention method in the heterogeneous phase. The method is based on the retention of inorganic ions by the polymer in conjunction with membrane filtration and subsequent separation of low‐molecular‐mass species from the formed polymer/metal‐ion complex. The polymer could bind several metal ions, such as Cr(III), Co (II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Fe(III) inorganic ions, in aqueous solution at pH values of 3, 5, and 7. The interaction of the inorganic ions with the hydrophilic polymer was determined as a function of pH and a filtration factor. Hydrophilic polymeric reagents with strong metal‐complexing properties were synthesized and used to separate those complexed from noncomplexed ions in the heterogeneous phase. The polymers exhibited a high retention capability at pH values of 5 and 7. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006