Synthesis and characterization of new optically active polymers carrying calix[4]arene and amino acid units in the main chain and their binding properties towards toxic heavy metals

BACKGROUND: A series of novel optically active polymers containing upper rim calix[4]arene was prepared from the polycondensation reaction of calix diamine derivative 2 with two optically active diacid chlorides. RESULTS: The optically active compounds were prepared from the reaction of a pyromellitic dianhydride with two chiral amino acids. The optically active polymers were obtained in a yield of 80–86% and had an inherent viscosity of 0.20–0.26 dL g^?1. The polymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Studies of the complexation of the polymers towards some alkali metal and toxic transition metal cations were performed using solid–liquid sorption procedures and comparisons made with the starting monomer. CONCLUSION: It is evident from the complexation studies that the polymers investigated are good polymeric ionophores for alkali metal cations like Na⁺ and K⁺, for Ag⁺ and for toxic heavy metal cations such as Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺. These polymers are good candidates for use in chiral stationary phases for separation of enantiomers in ionic media, as well for removing metal ions. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation of polysulfonebenzylthiourea-reactive ultrafiltration plate membranes and their rejection properties for heavy toxic metal cations

The asymmetric membranes were prepared via phase inversion method, by using chloromethyl polysulfone as membrane materials, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as pore forming agent to improve the morphology and function of resultant membranes, N,N-dimethylacetamide as solvent, and water as the extraction solvent. Then the highly qualified polysulfonebenzylthiourea-reactive ultrafiltration plate membrane was prepared successively through the reactions between the chloromethyl polysulfone matrix membrane and thiourea. The thiourea-functionalized polysulfone plate reactive ultrafiltration membrane was used for the rejection of heavy toxic metal cations such as Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ through the coordination of the thiourea group and heavy toxic metal cations, in which the effects of the morphological and the structure of the membrane on the rejection properties were investigated. The rejection conditions, including the concentration of heavy toxic metal cations, temperature and pH of the solution had significant effects on the rejection capacity of polysulfonebenzylthiourea-reactive ultrafiltration membrane. The reactive ultrafiltration membrane containing thiourea group can be conveniently recovered by dilute hydrochloric acid for coordination of heavy toxic metal cations, which would have wide application for the treatment of waste-water-containing heavy toxic metal cations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of salep sulfate and its utilization in preparation of heavy metal ion adsorbent

A multicomponent polysaccharide obtained from dried tubers of certain natural terrestrial orchids was chemically modified by sulfonation using chlorosulfonic acid–dimethylformamide (HClSO_3–DMF) complex as a reagent. For a structural characterization of salep sulfate ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves were recorded. The sulfate content of modified salep was determined using elemental analysis. This modified biopolymer was used to prepare a new environment‐friendly heavy metal ion adsorbent, salep sulfate‐graft‐polyacrylic acid hydrogel (SS‐g‐PAA). Swelling rate and equilibrium water absorbency in various pH and saline solutions were investigated to study the effect of salep sulfate on swelling behavior of the hydrogel. In addition, the effect of sulfate content on heavy metal ion adsorption from aqueous solution was investigated. The results show that SS‐g‐PAA can effectively remove heavy metal ions (Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺) from aqueous solution and swelling behavior of the hydrogels highly dependent on the amount of sulfate group on corresponding modified polysaccharide. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3001–3008, 2013     

Lichen Substances Affect Metal Adsorption in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypogymnia physodes</Emphasis>

Lichen substances are known to function as chelators of cations. We tested the hypothesis that lichen substances can control the uptake of toxic metals by adsorbing metal ions at cation exchange sites on cell walls. If true, this hypothesis would help to provide a mechanistic explanation for results of a recent study showing increased production of physodalic acid by thalli of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes transplanted to sites with heavy metal pollution. We treated cellulose filters known to mimic the cation exchange abilities of lichen thalli with four lichen substances produced by H. physodes (physodic acid, physodalic acid, protocetraric acid, and atranorin). Treated filters were exposed to solutions containing seven cations (Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Na⁺), and changes to the solution concentrations were measured. Physodalic acid was most effective at influencing metal adsorption, as it increased the adsorption of Fe³⁺, but reduced the adsorption of Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Na⁺, and to a lesser extent, that of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. Reduced Na⁺ adsorption matches with the known tolerance of this species to NaCl. The results may indicate a possible general role of lichen substances in metal homeostasis and pollution tolerance.     

Synthesis and characterization of negative‐type photosensitive polyimides based on cyclobutane‐1,2,3,4‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride

A series of negative‐type photosensitive polyamic acids (PAAs) with various molecular weights was synthesized from cyclobutane‐1,2,3,4‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl‐3,5‐diaminobenzoate, and 2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl‐4‐aminobenzoate in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone. We investigated the degree of planarity, transmittance, and thermal stability for the PAAs after the photoirradiation reaction at an exposure dose of 200 mJ/cm². The films prepared from the PAA with the lowest molecular weight (PAA‐1) exhibited a higher degree of planarity and transmittance compared with those of the film prepared from the PAA with the highest molecular weight (PAA‐4). The initial decomposition temperatures of the cured PAAs with different molecular weights were similar and were stable up to around 300°C. Further, the photosensitivity and transmittance of PAA‐1 were investigated in the presence of photoinitiators at 365–400 nm with a high‐pressure mercury lamp. The resolution of the photocured film was about 50 μm. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2300–2308, 2005     

Functionalized graphene sheets coordinating metal cations

Interactions of metal cations such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ with ammonia-treated graphene sheets (G) and thermal stability of metal cations coordinated with oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups on G were investigated by rinsing G coordinated with metal cations (G-Metal) in 2-propanol using sonication and by heating G-Metal at 773 K, respectively. Monovalent alkali metal cations, divalent alkaline-earth metal cations, divalent transition metal cations such as Mn²⁺, and the other metal cation such as Zn²⁺ were removed by rinsing because of either no interaction or weak interactions between metal cations and G including various thermally stable nitrogen- and oxygen-containing functional groups. Trivalent transition metal cations such as Cr³⁺ and Fe³⁺ were agglomerated by heat treatment at 773 K, whereas divalent transition metal cations such as Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ remained without severe agglomeration. Phenanthroline-like groups on edges of graphene showed the strongest interaction with Ni²⁺ among all of investigated nitrogen- and oxygen-containing functional groups as results of density functional theory calculation. The thermal stability of NNi bonding was confirmed as above 873 K as results of heat treatment of a standard compound (Ni phthalocyanine) in a glass ampoule.     

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ION EXCHANGE PROPERTIES OF A SPHERICALLY GRANULATED SODIUM ALUMINOPHOSPHATESILICATE

ABSTRACT

Spherically granulated sodium aluminosilicophosphate (APS) of the empirical formula Na₄Al₄PS₁₈O_46.5 18H₂O was synthesized by a gel method. The APS was characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, TGA and ²⁷AI, ²⁸Si and ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy methods. Ion exchange of alkali, alkaline earth and some other divalent metal cations by APS was studied in batch conditions. It was found that the APS has a cation exchange capacity of 2.5 meq/g and exhibits rapid kinetics of ion exchange. The ion exchange isotherms of alkali, alkaline earth and some other divalent cations were determined and the corrected selectivity coefficients as a function of metal loading were analyzed. It was found that APS exhibits a high affinity for cesium ion, a moderate affinity for some heavy metal cations (Pb²⁺, Zn⁺) and a low affinity for alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. A testing of the APS in complex solutions suggests that it could be a promising exchanger for treatment of some specific nuclear waste and contaminated environmental and biological liquors from radioactive cesium and toxic heavy metal ions.     

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.     

C,N‐Pyridylpyrazole‐Based Ligands: Synthesis and Preliminary Use in Metal Ion Extraction

Abstract

The synthesis of new N‐donor pyridylpyrazole ligands with a functionalized arm is described. The complexation capabilities of these compounds towards bivalent metal ions (Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) and alkali metal ions (K⁺, Na⁺, and Li⁺) were investigated using the liquid‐liquid extraction process. The percentage limits of extraction were determined by atomic absorption measurements.     

Competitive binding of divalent cations to poly(α-hydroxyacrylic acid)

The competitive binding of divalent cations (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) on poly(α-hydroxyacrylic acid) (PHA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was investigated by equilibrium dialysis. In the Mg/Ca mixed system, binding selectivity for Ca²⁺ over Mg²⁺ was significantly higher in PHA than in PAA; this was attributed to coordination of α-OH groups on PHA to Ca²⁺. The binding ability and selectivity for the transition metal cations were almost the same for PHA and PAA at neutral pH, while PHA maintained appreciably higher degrees of binding than PAA in acidic solutions (pH about 3). This cation binding ability of PHA was ascribed to the lower pK_a value in the relevant pH region. © 1998 SCI.     

Extraction of Alkali Metal Cations by Lipophilic Dibenzo-14-crown-4-carboxylic Acids

Abstract

The extraction of alkali metal cations by the lipophilic crown ether, bis-t-octylbenzo-14-crown-4 (BOB14C4), three derivatives of BOB14C4 having pendant carboxylic acid sidearms, and a lipophilic carboxylic acid, 2-methyl-2-heptylnonanoic acid (HMHN) was studied by two-phase potentiometric titration and ion-chromatography. The lipophilic, ionizable crown ethers, BOB14C4-acetic acid (BOB14C4AA), BOB14C4-propanoic acid (BOB14C4PA), and BOB14C4-oxyacetic acid (BOB14C4OAA) extract cations efficiently from aqueous mixed alkali metal chloride solutions into 1-octanol by an ion-exchange mechanism in the range p[H] > 7, as does HMHN. The mode of attachment of the ionizable sidearm, via an ether linkage (BOB14C4OAA) versus a carbon linkage (BOB14C4AA and BOB14C4PA), has a significant effect on the cation selectivity and extraction efficiency of these extractants. BOB14C4 exhibits no p[H] dependent extraction behavior and has no significant effect on the extraction of alkali metal cations by HMHN in a mixture of these two compounds. Although BOB14C4AA and BOB14C4PA extract cations at lower p[H] than HMHN, all three compounds exhibit similar selectivity for Li⁺ over Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺. A significant reversal in selectivity is observed with BOB14C4OAA, which extracts Na⁺ and K⁺ selectively over Li⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ and at significanty lower p[H] than BOB14C4AA, BOB14C4PA, or HMHN. The unique behavior of BOB14C4OAA may be attributed to the presence of the ether linkage between the crown ether and the pendant carboxylic acid.     

Separation and extraction of some heavy and toxic metal ions from their wastes by grafted membranes

Preparation and characterization of a series of ion‐exchange membranes for the purpose of separation and extraction of some heavy and toxic metal ions from their wastes were studied. Such ion‐exchange membranes were prepared by γ‐radiation grafting of acrylonitrile (AN) and vinyl acetate (VAc) in a binary monomer mixture onto low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) using the direct technique of grafting. The reaction conditions at which the grafting process proceeds successfully were determined. Many modification treatments were attempted for the prepared membranes to improve their ion‐exchange properties. The possibility of their practical use in waste‐water treatment to remove some heavy and toxic metal ions such as Pb²⁺, Cd ²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Sr²⁺, and Li⁺ were investigated. These grafted membranes showed great promise for possible use in the field of extraction and removal of some heavy and toxic metals from their wastes. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 849–860, 2001     

Behavior of acrylic acid–itaconic acid hydrogels in swelling,shrinking, and uptakes of some metal ions from aqueous solution

An experimental research of the absorption properties of metal ions onto synthetic hydrogel obtained by solution polymerization of acrylic acid and itaconic acid in presence of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinking agent was carried out. The swelling behavior in aqueous salt solutions was studied as a function of divalent cation concentration (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺) in the external solution ranging from 10^?5 to 1M, at 25°C. The ability of these hydrogels to bind cations was measured at different pH values and metal ion concentrations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 530–536, 2003     

Synthesis and characterization of new monomeric and polymeric phthalocyanines

Monomeric (M = 2Li or 2H) and polymeric (M = 2H, Zn, Cu, Co, or Ni), where M is metal or hydrogen, phthalocyanines were prepared by the tetramerization reaction of bisphthalonitrile monomer with appropriate materials. The electrical conductivities of the polymeric phthalocyanines, which were measured as gold sandwiches, were found to be 10⁻¹⁰–10⁻⁷ S/cm in vacuo and in air. The binding property of a Co‐containing polymeric phthalocyanine ( 10 ) toward alkali, alkaline‐earth, and some heavy cations was studied in tetrahydrofuran. The extraction affinity of 10 for K⁺ was found to be the highest in the heterogeneous phase extraction experiments. The disaggregation property of a Ni‐containing polymeric phthalocyanine ( 11 ) was investigated with K⁺, Na⁺, and NH₄⁺ cations. The intrinsic viscosities of all polymers were also measured by means of viscometry. All the novel compounds were characterized with elemental analysis, ultraviolet–visible, Fourier transform infrared, NMR, and mass spectrometry spectral data, and differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

ION EXCHANGE PROPERTIES OF THE SODIUM PHLOGOPITE AND BIOTITE

ABSTRACT

The ion exchange behavior of three sodium micas (phlogopite, Ward's Sci.; phlogopite, Suzorite Inc., biotite, Ward's Sci.) towards Li⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺. Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Pb²⁺ Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺ Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions has been studied. The ion exchange isotherms of alkali, alkaline earth and some other divalent cations were determined and concentration equilibrium constants as a function of metal loading and temperature were analyzed. Sodium micas exhibit high affinity for heavy alkali metals with the selectivity order Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ > K⁺. By studying the cesium uptake in the presence of NaNO₃, CaCl₂, NaOH, NaOH+KOH, HNO₃ electrolytes (in the range of 0.01–6 M) it was found that sodium micas could remove cesium efficiently in neutral and alkaline media, which make them promising for certain types of nuclear waste treatment.     

Synthesis of a novolac‐based 3‐aminopropylsiloxane resin and its application for the removal of Cu2+, Cr3+, and Ni2+ from electroplating wastewater

Novolac resin was modified with 3‐aminopropyltrimthoxysilane to obtain phenol‐formaldehyde‐aminopropylsiloxane resin (PF‐APS). Fourier transformation infra‐red spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and pH‐metric titration were used to characterize PF‐APS. Its chemical formula was suggested to be C₁₄H_12.49N_0.1O₂Si_0.1. The resin shows high experimental metal ions uptake capacity within short time of equilibration. The metal capacity was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry to be 0.787 mEq Cu/g. Maximum separation efficiencies of Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Ni²⁺ from aqueous solutions on PF‐APS were at pH 8.0 and time of stirring 60 min; 94.0%, 90.8%, 83.2%, respectively. No significant interference from the background ions Na⁺, Cl^?, and was observed on the separation process. The heavy metal ions were eluted using 0.01 mol L^?1 EDTA at 65°C releasing >94% of the separated metal ions. The method of separation was applied successfully to remove the heavy metal ions Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Ni²⁺ from electroplating wastewater from Dekirnis, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40993.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(amide–imide)s and their precursors as materials for membranes

Water soluble diamine amic acids (DAAs) were synthesized by reacting aliphatic diamines with pyromellitic dianhydride. Poly(amide–amic acid)s (PAAs) were prepared by interfacial polycondensation of DAAs in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution with isophthaloyl chloride in dichloromethane. Poly(amide–imide)s (PAIs) containing alternating (amide–amide)–(imide–imide) sequences were obtained by thermal cycloimidization of the PAA films at 175°C for 4 h in a forced air woven. The PAIs were readily soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone. The inherent viscosities of the polymers are in the range of 0.97–1.7 dL/g. The polymers were characterized by IR, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Thin film composite membranes containing PAA ultrathin barrier layer were prepared by in situ interfacial polycondensation of DAA in water with trimesoyl chloride or isophthaloyl chloride in hexane on the surface of a porous polysulfone membrane. The membranes were characterized for water permeability and for the separation of NaCl and Na₂SO₄. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1721–1727, 2000     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(esteramide‐urethane) from linseed oil as anticorrosive coatings

Ethylene diamine polyesteramide (Ed‐PEA) was synthesized from N, N‐bis (2‐hydroxy ethyl) linseed oil fattyamide and ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid through condensation polymerization. It was further treated with toluylene 2,4‐diisocyanate (TDI) in different weight percentage to obtain urethane‐modified polyesteramide (Ed‐UPEA). The structural elucidation of Ed‐PEA and Ed‐UPEA were carried out by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopic techniques. Thermal studies of these resins were carried by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The coatings of urethane‐modified polyesteramide were prepared on mild steel strips and their anticorrosive behavior of in acid, alkali, water, and xylene were investigated. Thermal stability performance suggests that the system could be safely used upto 200°C. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Design of renewable poly(amidoamine)/hemicellulose hydrogels for heavy metal adsorption

Renewable poly(amidoamine)/hemicellulose hydrogels were prepared from O‐acetylated galactoglucomannan (AcGGM)‐rich biomass and shown to display a significantly high adsorption capacity for Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb^2+, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, and . Two different acrylamido end‐capped poly(amidoamine) oligomers (PAA) were prepared and covalently immobilized onto an in situ formed polysaccharide network via water‐based free radical graft copolymerization and cross‐linking. The synthetic approach was shown to be viable when using a highly purified AcGGM or a crude spruce hydrolysate, an AcGGM and lignin containing biomass fraction as a reactant. Homogeneous reaction mixtures were obtained in both cases with polysaccharide contents up to 20% by weight. Oscillatory shear measurements indicated a predominantly solid‐like behavior of the hydrogels with an increase in shear storage modulus with increasing cross‐link density. The mechanical integrity of the PAA/hemicellulose hydrogels showed higher water swelling capacity and less fragility than the parent PAA hydrogels and they retained the heavy metal ion absorption ability of the PAA component, even in the presence of the least purified hemicellulose fraction. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41695.     

Effects of Acylation and Crosslinking on the Material Properties and Cadmium Ion Adsorption Capacity of Porous Chitosan Beads

Abstract

Chitosan is a novel glucosamine biopolymer derived from the shells of marine organisms. This biopolymer is very attractive for heavy metal ion separations from wastewater because it is selective for toxic transition metal ions over less toxic alkali or alkane earth metal ions. Highly porous, 3-mm chitosan beads were prepared by an aqueous phase-inversion technique for casting gel beads followed by freeze drying. In the attempt to simultaneously improve material properties and adsorption capacity, chitosan was chemically modified by 1) homogeneous acylation of amine groups with nonanoyl chloride before bead casting, and 2) heterogeneous crosslinking of linear chitosan chains with the bifunctional reagent glutaric dialdehyde (GA) after bead casting but before freeze drying. The random addition of C₈ hydrocarbon side chains to about 7% of the amine groups on uncrosslinked chitosan beads via N-acylation improved the saturation adsorption capacity from 169 to 216 mg Cd²⁺/g-bead at saturation (pH 6.5, 25°C) but only slightly reduced solubility in acid solution. Crosslinking of the N-acylated chitosan beads with 0.125 to 2.5 wt% GA in the crosslinking bath increased the internal surface area from 40 to 224 m²/g and rendered the beads insoluble in 1 M acetic acid (pH 2.36). However, crosslinking of the N-acylated chitosan beads reduced the saturation adsorption capacity to 136 mg Cd²⁺/g-bead at 0.75 wt% GA and 86 mg Cd²⁺/g-bead at 2.5 wt% GA. Crosslinking also significantly reduced the compression strength. There was no clear relationship between internal surface area and adsorption capacity, suggesting that the adsorbed cadmium was not uniformly loaded into the bead.