Synthesis and characteristics of a novel heavy metal ions chelator

Polyacrylamide-urea-sulfanilamide(PUS) was prepared as a novel heavy metal ions chelator and successfully used to simultaneously remove heavy metals from wastewater effluents. The effects of reaction parameters (sodium hydroxide, material ratio, temprature and contact time) were monitored to specify the best synthesis conditions. PUS was chemically characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis). The simultaneous chelation performance of PUS towards selected heavy metals ions, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ was discussed, showing that Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺ could be better chelated. It is indicated that the synthesized PUS is a potential remediation material when used for the treatment of wastewater containing metal ions.