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     

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     

Formation of thermosensitive copolymer beads having phosphinic acid groups and adsorption ability for metal ions

Hydrophilic thermosensitive copolymer beads having phosphinic acid groups were prepared by suspension copolymerization of acryloyloxypropyl n‐octylphosphinic acid (APPO), N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAm), and tetraethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (4G). The thermosensitivity and the adsorption ability of the copolymer beads for metal ions beads were studied. The APPO‐NIPAAm‐4G copolymer beads were obtained in a good yield by suspension copolymerization of monomers (APPO, NIPAAm, and 4G) dissolved in chloroform, in a saturated Na₂SO₄ aqueous solution in the presence of surfactant and MgCO₃. The APPO‐NIPAAm‐4G copolymer beads had higher adsorption ability for lanthanide metal ions (Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺, Nd³⁺, or La³⁺) than for main transition metal ions (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, or Co²⁺). Furthermore, it was also found that the APPO‐NIPAAm‐4G copolymer beads had selective adsorption ability between lanthanide metal ions, and the order of adsorption ability for lanthanide metal ions was as follows: Eu³⁺ > Sm³⁺ > Nd³⁺ > La³⁺. The selective adsorption for these metal ions from their mixed solutions was performed by both a batch method and a column method. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 449–460, 2006     

Antibody purification from human plasma by metal‐chelated affinity membranes

The aim of this study is to investigate in detail the feasibility of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐N‐methacryloyl‐(L )‐histidine methyl ester), PHEMAH membranes for purification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from human plasma. PHEMAH membranes were prepared by photo‐polymerization technique. Then, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions were chelated directly on the PHEMAH membranes. Elemental analysis assay was performed to determine the nitrogen content and polymerized MAH was calculated as 168.5 μmol/g. The nonspecific IgG adsorption onto the plain PHEMA membranes was negligible (about 0.25 mg/mL). A remarkable increase in the IgG adsorption capacities were achieved from human plasma with PHEMAH membranes (up to 68.4 mg/mL). Further increase was observed with the metal‐chelated PHEMAH membranes (up to 118 mg/mL). The metal‐chelate affinity membranes allowed the one‐step separation of IgG from human plasma. The binding range of metal ions for surface histidines from human plasma followed the order: Cu²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Co²⁺. Adsorbed IgG was eluted using 250 mM EDTA with a purity of 94.1%. IgG molecules could be repeatedly adsorbed and eluted with the metal‐chelated PHEMAH membranes without noticeable loss in their IgG adsorption capacity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

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.     

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.     

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     

Magnesium ferrite nanoparticles as a magnetic sorbent for the removal of Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ from aqueous solution

The aim of this research was to prepare magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄) magnetic nanoparticles and to investigate their sorption characteristics towards Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous solution. MgFe₂O₄ was synthesized by glycine-nitrate combustion method and was characterized by low crystallinity with crystallite size of 8.2?nm, particle aggregates of 13–25?nm, BET surface area of 14?m²/g and pore size of 8.0?nm. Sorption properties of MgFe₂O₄ towards Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ ions were studied using one-component model solutions and found to be dependent on metal ions concentration, contact time, pH and conditions of regeneration experiment. The highest sorption capacity of MgFe₂O₄ was detected towards Co²⁺ (2.30?mmol?g¹) and Mn²⁺ (1.56?mmol?g^?1) and the lowest towards Ni²⁺ (0.89?mmol?g^?1) and Cu²⁺ (0.46?mmol?g^?1). It was observed that sorption equilibrium occurs very quickly within 20–60?min. The pH_zpc of sorbent was calculated to be 6.58. At studied pH interval (3.0–7.0) the sorption capacity of MgFe₂O₄ was not significantly affected. Regeneration study showed that the metal loaded sorbent could be regenerated by aqueous solution of 10^?3 M MgCl₂ at pH 6.0 within 120?min of contact time. Regeneration test suggested that MgFe₂O₄ magnetic sorbent can be efficiently used at least for four adsorption-desorption cycles. The high sorption properties and kinetics of toxic metal ion sorption indicates good prospects of developed sorbent in practice for wastewater treatment.     

Characterization of Adsorptive Capacity and Investigation of Mechanism of Cu2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ Adsorption on Mango Peel Waste from Constituted Metal Solution and Genuine Electroplating Effluent

Abstract

The present study reports the potential of mango peel waste (MPW) as an adsorbent material to remove Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ from constituted metal solutions and genuine electroplating industry wastewater. Heavy metal ions were noted to be efficiently removed from the constituted solution with the selectivity order of Cu²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Zn²⁺. The adsorption process was pH-dependent, while the maximum adsorption was observed to occur at pH 5 to 6. Adsorption was fast as the equilibrium was established within 60 min. Maximum adsorption of the heavy metal ions at equilibrium was 46.09, 39.75, and 28.21 mg g for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺, respectively. Adsorption data of all the three metals fit well the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model with 0.99 regression coefficient. Release of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and protons H⁺ from MPW, during the uptake of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺, and EDX analysis of MPW, before and after the metal sorption process, revealed that ion exchange was the main mechanism of sorption. FTIR analysis showed that carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups were involved in the sorption of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺. MPW was also shown to be highly effective in removing metal ions from the genuine electroplating industry effluent samples as it removed all the three metal ions to the permissible levels of discharge legislated by environment protection agencies. This study indicates that MPW has the potential to effectively remove metal ions from industrial effluents.     

Adsorption from aqueous solution by δ-manganese dioxide II. Adsorption of some heavy metal cations

The adsorption isotherms of M²⁺ ions (M²⁺ = Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺) on the K⁺-form of δ-MnO₂, at pH 6 and at different temperatures, fitted the Langmuir equation and an apparent heat of adsorption, Q, was found to be - 78, - 33, - 34, - 19 and - 15 kJ mol^?1 respectively. The adsorption capacity of δ-MnO₂ increased in the series: Ni²⁺ < Co²⁺ < Cd²⁺ ± Zn²⁺ < Mn²⁺. This was nearly the order of decrease in the radii, r′, of the hydrated ions, estimated from hydration enthalpies. An ionexchange mechanism between hydrated K⁺ ions in the outer Helmholtz layer and hydrated M²⁺ ions in the solution, suggests positive entropy contributions which offset the endothermic Q. The proposed mechanism is in agreement with the observed sequence of adsorption capacity and with the decrease in Q in the above series, except for Co²⁺ adsorption (possibly complicated by the oxidation of Co²⁺ by δ-MnO²). The adsorption of the cations is probably accompanied by the exchange with Mn ions from the solid. There was evidence of specific adsorption below the point of zero charge (pH 3.3). The adsorption isotherms of Mn²⁺ ions at pH 7 were higher than those at pH 6 and Q was found to be - 19 kJ mol^?1. As the ionic strength increased, the adsorption isotherm of Mn²⁺ ions at pH 7 and 298 K shifted to lower values. Adsorption isotherms of Cu(II)ions at pH 3.5 and of Fe(III) at pH 2 represent specific adsorption and Q was found to be - 74 and - 13 kJ mol^?1 respectively.     

Effect of metallic ions in photo-induced graft copolymerization onto cellulose

In photo-induced graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto cellulose, the effect of metallic ions as sensitizer was investigated. Some metallic ions were effective in their adsorbed states and accelerated the formation of grafts in the order Fe²⁺ > Ag⁺ > Fe³⁺. However, Cu²⁺ acted negatively, and little effect was observed for Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cr³⁺. In the systems in which aqueous metallic salt solutions were added, the formation of grafts was generally depressed, but Fe³⁺ was an exception. The effect of metallic ions on the scission reaction of cellulose main chains did not necessarily agree with the effect on the formation of grafts. This is attributed to the varied interaction between cellulose and the different active species produced by irradiation, depending on the type of metallic ions used.     

Cation Exchange and Sorption Properties of Aluminum Phosphate

ABSTRACT

The ion-exchange properties of amorphous aluminum phosphate have been studied in aqueous electrolyte solutions of KCl over a temperature range of 300–320 K. The data were explained by the law of mass action. Sorption of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ on AIPO₄ was also studied as a function of temperature and concentration, and the data were fitted to Langmuir adsorption equations. In all cases the adsorption was found to increase with increases in temperature and concentration in the selectivity order Cu²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Ni²⁺. Further, the values of Langmuir constants were used to calculate the thermodynamic parameters δS°, δH°, and δG°.     

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.     

Adsorption of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Co2+ by polypropylene fabric and polyethylene hollow fiber modified by radiation-induced graft copolymerization

Cation-exchange adsorbents were prepared by radiation-induced grafting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto polypropylene (PP) fabric and polyethylene (PE) hollow fiber and subsequent phosphonation of epoxy groups of poly(GMA) graft chains. The adsorption characteristics of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ for the two cation-exchange adsorbents were studied. In the grafting of GMA onto PP fabric, the degree of grafting (%) increased with an increase in reaction time, reaction temperature, and pre-irradiation dose. The maximum grafting yield was observed around 60% GMA concentration. In 50, 130 and 250% GMA-grafted PP fabric, the content of phosphoric acid was 1.52, 3.40 and 4.50 mmol/g at 80 °C in the 85 % phosphoric acid aqueous solution for 24 h, respectively. The adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ by PP fabric adsorbent was enhanced with an increased phosphoric acid content The order of adsorption capacity of the PP fabric adsorbent was Pb²⁺>Co²⁺>Cu²⁺. In adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ by PE hollow fiber, the amount of Pb²⁺ adsorbed by the PE hollow fiber adsorbent containing 1.21 mmol/g of -PO₃H wasca. 54.4 g per kg. The adsorption amount of Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ in the same PE hollow fiber wasca. 21.0 g per kg andca. 32.1 g per kg, respectively. The order of adsorption of the PE hollow fiber adsorbent was Pb²⁺>Co²⁺>Cu²⁺.     

Studies of selective adsorption resin. XXIV. Preparation and properties of macroreticular chelating resins containing both polyethylenepolyamine side chains and mercapto groups

The macroreticular chelating resins containing both polyethylenepolyamine side chains and mercapto groups were prepared by the reaction of 2,3-epithiopropyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene macroreticular copolymer beads with polyethylene-polyamine. The adsorption behavior of metal ions on the obtained resins was then investigated. The amination of the macroreticular copolymer beads could effectively be carried out by treatment of the polymer beads with polyethylenepolyamine in organic solvent (benzene, terahydrofuran) or in the absence of organic solvent at 80°C or 100°C for 60 min. It was found that the adsorption capacity of the resins for metal ions is not only affected by the ion exchange capacity of the resins but also by the porosity of the resins. Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, and Cu²⁺ were effectively adsorbed on the resins even at a pH below 3, whereas Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cd²⁺ were adsorbed at a pH above 3, Mn²⁺ at a pH above 7, and Ca²⁺ at a pH above 8. These metal ions adsorbed on the resins could easily be eluted with dilute mineral acid solution or dilute mineral acid solution containing thiourea.     

Comportement electrochimique des oxydes mixtes MexCo1 − x Mn2O4 (Me = Ni,Cu; 0,75 ⩾ x ⩾ 0,25)

It is demonstrated through the electrochemical reduction of cobalt manganese spinels that it is possible to increase the cathodic reactivity by replacement of cobalt ions by nickel and copper cations. The reduction reaction occurs on active sites formed by Mn⁴⁺ ions associated, in octahedral sites, with Mn³⁺ ions, for the Ni_xCo_{1 ? x} Mn₂O₄ compounds. For the copper manganites oxides, Cu_xCo_{1 ? x}Mn₂O₄, the electrochemical reaction is likely to occur by the redox on solid state between Mn³⁺ and Cu²⁺ cations.     

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.     

Overcoming the inhibition effects of metal ions in the degradation of benzene and toluene byalcaligenes xylosoxidans y234

The effects of metal ions on the biodegradation of benzene and toluene were investigated. Among 12 tested metal ions, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and A⁺ _g inhibited the degradation of benzene and toluene severely byAlcaligenes xylosaxidans Y234. Cu²⁺ was found to inhibit catechol 1,2-dioxygenase in the degradation of benzene and toluene. Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were supposed to inhibit benzoate 1,2-dioxygenase, while Ag⁺ was supposed to inhibit benzaldehyde dehydrogenase in the degradation of toluene. The inhibition effect caused by these metal ions could be overcome both by microbial adaptation and by adding specific aromatic compounds to the broth.     

Adsorption characteristics of metal ions by CO2-fixing Chlorella sp. HA-1

Single and binary metal systems were employed to investigate the removal characteristics of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺ by Chlorella sp. HA-1 that were isolated from a CO₂ fixation process. Adsorption test of single metal systems showed that the maximum metal uptakes were 0.767 mmol Pb²⁺, 0.450 mmol Cd²⁺, 0.334 mmol Cu²⁺ and 0.389 mmol Zn²⁺ per gram of dry cell. In the binary metal systems, the metal ions on Chlorella sp. HA-1 were adsorbed selectively according to their adsorption characteristics. Pb²⁺ ions significantly inhibited the adsorption of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions, while Cu²⁺ ions decreased remarkably the metal uptake of Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions. The relative adsorption between Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions was reduced similarly by the presence of the other metal ions.     

Synthesis of polyamidoxime chelating ligand from polymer‐grafted corn‐cob cellulose for metal extraction

A conventional free‐radical initiating process was used to prepare graft copolymers from acrylonitrile (AN) with corn‐cob cellulose with ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as an initiator. The optimum grafting was achieved with corn‐cob cellulose (anhydroglucose unit, AGU), mineral acid (H₂SO₄), CAN, and AN at concentrations of 0.133, 0.081, 0.0145, and 1.056 mol/L, respectively. Furthermore, the nitrile functional groups of the grafted copolymers were converted to amidoxime ligands with hydroxylamine under basic conditions of pH 11 with 4 h of stirring at 70°C. The purified acrylic polymer‐grafted cellulose and polyamidoxime ligand were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis. The ligand showed an excellent copper binding capacity (4.14 mmol/g) with a faster rate of adsorption (average exchange rate = 7 min), and it showed a good adsorption capacity for other metal ions as well. The metal‐ion adsorption capacities of the ligand were pH‐dependent in the following order: Cu²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Mn²⁺ > Cr³⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺. The metal‐ion removal efficiency was very high; up to 99% was removed from the aqueous media at a low concentration. These new polymeric chelating ligands could be used to remove aforementioned toxic metal ions from industrial wastewater. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40833.