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     

An investigation into transition metal ion binding properties of silk fibers and particles using radioisotopes

Silk is a structural protein fiber that is stable over a wide pH range making it attractive for use in medical and environmental applications. Variation in amino acid composition has the potential for selective binding for ions under varying conditions. Here we report on the metal ion separation potential of Mulberry and Eri silk fibers and powders over a range of pH. Highly sensitive radiotracer probes, ⁶⁴Cu²⁺, ¹⁰⁹Cd²⁺, and ⁵⁷Co²⁺ were used to study the absorption of their respective stable metal ions Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Co²⁺ into and from the silk sorbents. The total amount of each metal ion absorbed and time taken to reach equilibrium occurred in the following order: Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Co²⁺. In all cases the silk powders absorbed metal ions faster than their respective silk fibers. Intensive degumming of the fibers and powders significantly reduced the time to absorb respective metal ions and the time to reach equilibrium was reduced from hours to 5–15 min at pH 8. Once bound, 45–100% of the metal ions were released from the sorbents after exposure to pH 3 buffer for 30 min. The transition metal ion loading capacity for the silk sorbents was considerably higher than that found for commercial ion exchange resins (AG MP‐50 and AG 50W‐X2) under similar conditions. Interestingly, total Cu²⁺ bound was found to be higher than theoretically predicted values based on known specific Cu²⁺ binding sites (AHGGYSGY), suggesting that additional (new) sites for transition metal ion binding sites are present in silk fibers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

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.     

Preparation of aminoalkyl celluloses and their adsorption and desorption of heavy metal ions

Aminoalkyl celluloses (AmACs) were prepared from 6-chlorodeoxycellulose and aliphatic diamines H₂N(CH₂)_mNH₂ (m = 2, 4, 6, 8). Their adsorption and desorption of divalent heavy metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and their mixtures were also investigated in detail. Adsorption of metal ions on AmACs was remarkably affected by the pH of the solution, the metal ion and its initial concentration, and also the number of methylene units in the diamines. No adsorption of metal ions occurred on AmACs in strongly acidic solutions. However, metal ions were adsorbed rapidly on AmACs from weakly acidic solutions and the amount of adsorption increased with increasing pH. The effectiveness of AmACs as adsorbents decreased with increasing length of the methylene moiety, and AmACs from ethylenediamine (m = 2) was most effective. The adsorption of metal ions on AmACs was in the order Cu²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Mn²⁺. Accordingly, their behavior followed the Irving-Williams series and Cu²⁺ ions were preferentially adsorbed from solutions containing metal ion mixtures. The adsorbed ions were easily desorbed from the AmACs by stirring in 0.1 M HCl.     

Metal ion binding properties of novel wool powders

Wool fibres have shown potential for the removal and recovery of toxic chemical and metal ions; however, their slow kinetics of binding has limited their widespread application. In this study three wool powders have been prepared from chopped wool fibre using various milling operations. Brunauer, Emmett, Teller analysis (BET) showed negligible change in surface area and Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy indicated no change in nanoporosity of the powders on processing. Binding of the transition metal ions, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ was investigated over the pH range 3–9 at ambient temperature (23°C) using their respective radioisotopes (i.e. ⁵⁷Co, ⁶⁴Cu, or ¹⁰⁹Cd). The optimum pH for binding of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was in the range 6–8, while Co²⁺ absorption peak was sharp at pH 8. The rate of uptake of Cu²⁺ for each of the wool powder was dramatically faster (～ 42 fold) than that of the wool fibre. In comparison with commercial cation exchange resins, the wool powders showed significantly higher (two to nine fold) metal ion loading capacity. Selective binding of the metal ions could be enhanced by varying pH and/or incubation times. The use of radioisotopes to monitor the metal ion binding allowed the development of a highly sensitive and rapid high‐throughput analysis method for assessing wool powder binding properties. The ability to produce large quantities of wool powders and their ease of handling indicate that they have potential for application in separation and recovery of metal ions from industrial effluents and environmental waterways. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Preparation and adsorption properties of poly(N‐vinylformamide/acrylonitrile) chelating fiber for heavy metal ions

In this article we report a new chelating fiber that was prepared from a hydrolyzate of poly(N‐vinylformamide/acrylonitrile) by a wet‐spinning method. This fiber contains chelating groups, such as amidine groups, amino groups, cyano groups, and amide groups, with high densities. We examined the chelating abilities for several metal ions with this fiber, and present the morphological merit of the fibrous product compared with the globular resin. Based on the research results, it is shown that the fiber has higher binding capacities and better adsorption properties for heavy metal ions than the resin. The pH value of the metal ion solution shows strong influences on the adsorption of the metal ions. The maximum adsorption capacities of the fiber for Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Mn²⁺ are 112.23, 88.11, 141.04, 108.06, and 73.51 mg/g, respectively. In mixed metal ions solution, the fiber adsorbs Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ efficiently. The adsorbed metal ions can be quantitatively eluted by hydrochloric acid. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1378–1386, 2002     

SPOTLIGHT ON MANUFACTURING TRENDS IN JAPAN

Three reactive and functional polymers were synthesized by reacting formaldehyde with the phenolic Schiff bases derived from 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone and o-, m-, and p-hydroxybenzaldehydes, respectively. The metal ion uptake behavior of these resins towards Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, and UO₂ ²⁺ ions in dilute aqueous media was studied. The optimum conditions for the absorption of metal ions were determined by varying the various parameters like contact time, size of the sorbents, concentration of the metal ion solutions, and the pH of the reaction medium. Suitable conditions were ascertained for preferential adsorption of the above metal ions from the salt solutions containing other interfering ions such as Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺. Presence of these alkali and alkaline earth metal ions in the salt solutions did not affect the adsorption behavior of the resins. It was observed that the structural features of the resins have a profound effect on the uptake characteristics. The position of the OH group present in the meta position with respect to the imine nitrogen atom in the resin, demonstrated a significant influence on the extent of metal ion adsorption by the resin. Out of the three resins reported here, the resin derived from the Schiff base of m-hydroxybenzaldehyde-4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone showed higher efficiency in uptake of metal ions from the solutions than the corresponding resins derived from the Schiff bases of o- and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde-4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone.     

Chelation ion‐exchange properties of copolymer resin derived from 4‐hydroxyacetophenone,oxamide, and formaldehyde

A copolymer (4‐HAOF) prepared by condensation of 4‐hydroxyacetophenone and oxamide with formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst proved to be a selective chelating ion‐exchange copolymer for certain metals. Chelating ion‐exchange properties of this copolymer were studied for Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions. A batch equilibrium method was employed 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. The study was carried out over a wide pH range and in media of various ionic strengths. The copolymer showed a higher selectivity for Fe³⁺ ions than for Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 787–790, 2003     

Preparation of functionalized ion‐imprinted phenolic polymer for efficient removal of copper ions

In this work, an ion‐imprinted polymeric material based on functionalized phenolic resin was developed for the efficient selective removal of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solution. p‐Aminophenol‐isatin Schiff base ligand (HPIS) was first synthesized and combined with Cu²⁺ ions to prepare the corresponding complex [Cu(PIS)₂]. The Schiff base ligand along with its copper complex was fully investigated and characterized before anchoring in a base‐catalyzed condensation copolymerization with formaldehyde and resorcinol. The Cu²⁺ ions were removed from the obtained resin construction and the resulting Cu²⁺ ion‐imprinted material (Cu‐PIS) was employed for the selective extraction of Cu²⁺ ions under different pH values, initial concentrations and contact time conditions. The optimum pH for the removal process was chosen as 6 and the maximum adsorption capacity was 187 ± 1 mg g^–1. Also, the kinetics showed a better fit with the pseudo‐second‐order equations. The selectivity of the prepared Cu‐PIS was also evaluated in a multi‐ionic species containing Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺ besides Cu²⁺ ions and the determined parameters confirmed a superior recognition capability toward the imprinted Cu²⁺ ions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Design and synthesis of novel fluorescence sensing perylene diimides based on photoinduced electron transfer

Two novel tetraester- and PAMAM-branched perylene diimides were synthesized and configured as “fluorophore-spacer-receptor” systems based on photoinduced electron transfer. Due to their long alkylester and alkylamine terminal groups the examined compounds were well soluble in organic solvents. Photophysical characteristics of the dyes were investigated in DMF and water/DMF (1:1, v/v) solution. The ability of the synthesized perylene diimides to detect cations was evaluated by the changes in their fluorescence intensity in the presence of metal ions (Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Ni²⁺) and protons. The dyes under study displayed “off–on” switching in its fluorescence as a function of pH, which is attributed to disallowing photoinduced electron transfer from the receptor moiety to the fluorophore. PAMAM-branched dye displayed a good pH sensor activity (FE = 6.4), however the pH sensing ability of tetraester was substantially higher (FE = 184). In the presence of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions tetraester quenched its fluorescence intensity (FQ = 22 and 12 respectively), while PAMAM-branched dye enhanced its fluorescence intensity with pronounced selectivity to Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ (FE = 3.2 and 4.9, respectively). The results obtained indicate the potential of the novel compounds as fluorescent detectors for metal ions with pronounced selectivity towards Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions and highly efficient “off–on” pH switches, especially a tetraester-branched perylene diimide.     

Design and synthesis of novel fluorescence sensing perylene diimides based on photoinduced electron transfer

Two novel tetraester- and PAMAM-branched perylene diimides were synthesized and configured as “fluorophore-spacer-receptor” systems based on photoinduced electron transfer. Due to their long alkylester and alkylamine terminal groups the examined compounds were well soluble in organic solvents. Photophysical characteristics of the dyes were investigated in DMF and water/DMF (1:1, v/v) solution. The ability of the synthesized perylene diimides to detect cations was evaluated by the changes in their fluorescence intensity in the presence of metal ions (Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Ni²⁺) and protons. The dyes under study displayed “off-on” switching in its fluorescence as a function of pH, which is attributed to disallowing photoinduced electron transfer from the receptor moiety to the fluorophore. PAMAM-branched dye displayed a good pH sensor activity (FE = 6.4), however the pH sensing ability of tetraester was substantially higher (FE = 184). In the presence of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions tetraester quenched its fluorescence intensity (FQ = 22 and 12 respectively), while PAMAM-branched dye enhanced its fluorescence intensity with pronounced selectivity to Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ (FE = 3.2 and 4.9, respectively). The results obtained indicate the potential of the novel compounds as fluorescent detectors for metal ions with pronounced selectivity towards Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions and highly efficient “off-on” pH switches, especially a tetraester-branched perylene diimide.     

Effect of deacetylation on sorption of dyes and chromium on chitin

Deacetylated chitins (10.7–67.2%) were prepared by alkaline hydrolysis to determine an optimal degree of deacetylation (DD) which can effectively remove four dyes and chromium ions from textile effluent. Sorption isotherms were carried by varying the treatment time, pH, and initial concentration of dyes or chromium ions. Experimental results were analyzed in three ways: (1) equilibrium sorption capacity and sorption rate constant, (2) Langmuir isotherms, and (3) separation factor. Results indicated that except for the chitin with a 67.2% DD, rate and capacity of the dye sorption on the chitin increased with the increase of the DD in chitin for each pH but decreased with the increase of pH for each deacetylated chitin. This was mainly due to the increase of—NH⁺₃ groups in chitin with a high DD and the low pH of the system. On the contrary, dye desorption from the deacetylated chitin was highly effective at 80° and pH ≥ 10, which could facilitate the reduction of—NH⁺₃ ions and the increase of electrostatic repulsion. The number of chromium ions sorbed on the chitin also increased with the increase of the DD at a specific time. Therefore, by controlling the DD of the deacetylated chitin maximum efficiency can be achieved in the removal of dyes and metal ions from textile effluent.     

Sorption Studies of Terpolymers Based on p-Nitrophenol,Triethylenetetramine, and Formaldehyde

Terpolymer resins have been synthesized by condensation of p-nitrophenol, triethylenetetramine, and formaldehyde in the presence of 2 M NaOH as a catalyst with different molar proportions of monomers. Newly synthesized terpolymers were proved to be selective chelation ion exchangers for metal ions like Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺. A batch equilibrium study was carried out over a wide pH range, shaking time, and in media of various ionic strengths of different electrolytes and shows higher selectivity for Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺. Distribution ratios of metal ions were found to be increased by increasing pH of solutions; hence the resins can be used to recover certain metals from waste solutions and removal of iron from boiler water.     

Synthesis of resin IV: Salicylic acid,diaminonaphthalein, and formaldehyde terpolymer and its ion exchange

This article reports the synthesis, characterization, and ion exchange properties of a terpolymer. The terpolymer resin salicylic acid‐diaminonaphthalein‐formaldehyde (SDNF) was synthesized by the condensation of salicylic acid and diaminonaphthalein with formaldehyde in the presence of a hydrochloric acid catalyst. Terpolymer resin was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and UV–Visible spectral studies. The number average molecular weight of the resin was determined by nonaqueous conductometric titration. Chelation ion exchange properties have also been studied for Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ ions employing a batch equilibrium method. It was employed to study the selectivity of metal ion uptake involving the measurements of distribution of a given metal ion between the polymer sample and a solution containing the metal ion. The study was carried out over wide pH range and in a media of various ionic strengths. The terpolymer showed 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     

Spectroscopic and thermal studies of poly[(N‐vinylimidazole)‐co‐(maleic acid)] hydrogel and its quaternized form

BACKGROUND: In this study, poly[(N‐vinylimidazole)‐co‐(maleic acid)] (poly(VIm/MA)) hydrogels were prepared by γ‐irradiation of ternary mixtures of N‐vinylimidazole–maleic acid–water using a ⁶⁰Co γ‐source. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses of these hydrogels as a function of protonation showed that the results are consistent with the existence of an H‐bridged complex when the imidazole rings are partially protonated. Finally, the efficiency and binding trends of Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions with both protonated and unprotonated poly(VIm/MA) hydrogels were determined. RESULTS: Gelation of 90% was reached at around 180 kGy dose at the end of irradiation. The poly(VIm/MA) hydrogels synthesized were further protonated in HCl solutions with different concentrations. Hydrogels originally showed 450% volumetric swelling; this ratio reached 1900% after protonation at pH = 5.0. Fourier transform infrared spectral changes in the ⁺N? H stretching region (3200–3600 and 1173 cm^?1) and the ring mode deformation at 915 cm^?1 are consistent with the formation of an H‐bridged complex between the protonated and unprotonated imidazole rings upon partial protonation. Similar changes were obtained from NMR spectra of both the protonated and unprotonated forms of the hydrogels. CONCLUSION: Protonated and unprotonated hydrogels have been used in heavy metal ion adsorption studies for environmental purposes. Adsorption decreased with decreasing pH value due to the protonation of the VIm ring. The adsorption of Me²⁺ ions decreased in the order Cu²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺, which is related to the complexation stability as well as the ionic radius of the metal ions. These results show that P(VIm/MA) hydrogels can be used efficiently to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. However, the protonated form is a bad choice for heavy metal ion adsorption due to electrostatic repulsion forces; it can nevertheless be assumed to be a good choice for anion adsorption from environmental waste water systems. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Copolymer resin. VII. 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐5‐sulfonic acid–thiourea–formaldehyde copolymer resins and their ion‐exchange properties

8‐Hydroxyquinoline‐5‐sulfonic acid–thiourea–formaldehyde copolymer resins were synthesized through the condensation of 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐5‐sulfonic acid and thiourea with formaldehyde in the presence of hydrochloric acid as a catalyst and with various molar ratios of the reacting monomers. The resulting copolymers were characterized with UV‐visible, IR and 1H‐NMR spectral data, employed to determine the reactivity of monomers. The average molecular weights of these resins were determined with vapor pressure osmometry and conductometric titration in a nonaqueous medium. The chelation ion‐exchange properties were also studied with the batch equilibrium method. The resins were proved to be selective chelating ion‐exchange copolymers for certain metals. The chelation ion‐exchange properties of these copolymers were studied for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Fe³⁺ ions. The study was carried out over a wide pH range and in media of various ionic strengths. The copolymers showed a higher selectivity for Fe³⁺ ions than for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, and Pb²⁺ ions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Materials,Tin Potassium Vanadate and Zirconium Potassium Vanadate Inorganic Multi-Component Ion Exchangers

Nano polyoxometallate-cation exchangers, tin potassium vanadate (TPV), and zirconium potassium vanadate (ZPV), with stereoregular particulate structures have been chemically synthesized using a homogeneous precipitation technique under a variety of conditions. The experimental parameters such as mixing, volume ratio, order of mixing and pH were established for the synthesis of the materials and fairly compromised to optimize the ion exchange properties of the produced ion exchangers. Structural characterizations of the materials were performed using XRF, XRD, thermal analysis, surface area and porosity measurements, and infra-red spectroscopy. The results were correlated to the lattice parameters, unit cell parameters, and space group of the exchangers. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed their sereoregularity in space. Compositions and molecular formulae of both the amorphous and crystalline materials have been investigated. Ion exchange properties and distribution coefficients, K _d , for some heavy metals namely, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cr⁶⁺ were measured at different pH values. TPV and ZPV selectivities have been examined by achieving some important and analytically difficult binary and multi-component separations. The results indicated that TPV is practically utilized for best separation of Co²⁺/Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺/Co²⁺, Cr⁶⁺/Co²⁺, Ni²⁺/Cu²⁺, Cr⁶⁺/Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺/Cr⁶⁺, Ni²⁺/(Co²⁺, Cu²⁺), and Ni²⁺/(Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cr⁶⁺), while ZPV could be efficiently used for separation of Cu²⁺/Co²⁺, Ni²⁺/Co²⁺, Cr⁶⁺/Co²⁺, Cu²⁺/Ni²⁺, Cr⁶⁺/Cu²⁺, Cr⁶⁺/Ni²⁺, and Cr⁶⁺/(Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺).     

Construction of template polymeric ligand with 8-hydroxy quinoline

8-Hydroxy quinoline was coupled with half diazotized p-pheylene diamine. Complexes of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Co²⁺ were prepared with the resulting dye–ligand. The complexes were then covalently bound into a crosslinked polymer matrix based on styrene–acrylamide copolymer through the ligand moiety. After removal of the metal ions from the polymer matrix, the metal ion absorption capacities of the polymer bound ligands were measured. The procedure could induce some specificities with template effect. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1215–1219, 1998     

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     

Studies on chitin. IX. Crosslinking of water-soluble chitin and evaluation of the products as adsorbents for cupric ion

Water-soluble chitin was successfully crosslinked to varying extents with glutaraldehyde in homogeneous aqueous solutions to improve the properties as an adsorbent for metal cations, and the effects of crosslinking were discussed. Complete insolubilization was achieved with the fivefold excess aldehyde, but, in terms of adsorptivity of Cu²⁺, the chitin crosslinked at an aldehyde/amino group ratio of 1.0 was found to exhibit remarkable capacity and was much superior to others. The desorption of Cu²⁺ from the adsorption complex was also attained effectively at pH 2.0. These results indicated that the loose crosslinking was quite simple and efficient to produce high capacity adsorbents for practical use. Thermal behavior of the crosslinked chitin was examined by TMA and TGA; a softening phenomenon was observed at 145°C.