Metal complexes of natural and synthetic fabrics grafted with vinyl monomers by gamma irradiation

Graft copolymers of natural and synthetic fabrics with acrylic acid (AAc) prepared by gamma irradiation were transformed into metal complexes of the divalent metal ions of cobalt, nickel, and copper. The factors that affect the grafting process without affecting the physical properties of fabrics and homogeneous grafting were studied. These factors involved inhibitor (FeCl₂) concentration, solvent composition, AAc concentration, and irradiation dose. The results showed that the appropriate irradiation dose in all cases was 20 kGy, whereas the inhibitor concentration was 0.1 wt% in the case of cotton and 0.2 wt% in the case of cotton/polyester blend and polyester fabrics. The suitable solvent composition was H₂O (90%)/MeOH(10%) in the case of cotton and H₂O (90%)/MeOH(10%) in the cotton/polyester blend and polyester fabrics. On the other hand, the suitable AAc concentration was 30% in the case of cotton and 50% in the cotton/polyester blend and polyester fabrics. The homogenous grafting and subsequent distribution of metal complexation was illustrated by a method based on the measurement of color parameters. Moreover, the effect of radiation grafting and metal complexation on the water absorption and mechanical properties of fabrics was investigated. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

聚酯基椰炭纤维混纺针织物的服用性能

为更好了解聚酯基椰炭纤维混纺针织物的服用性能,以聚酯基椰炭纤维混纺纱为原料,设计了7种不同组织结构的椰炭混纺针织面料,并对其坚牢度、热湿舒适性、保形性,以及除臭、释放负离子等功能进行测试。测试结果显示:聚酯基椰炭纤维具有良好的吸湿透气、舒适性等服用性能,而且还具有除臭、释放负离子等功能,市场应用前景广阔。     

Flame resistant cotton fabrics prepared by radiation-initiated polymerization with vinyl phosphonate oligomer and N-methylolacrylamide

Radiation-initiated polymerization of vinyl phosphonate oligomer (molecular weight 500–1000) and N-methylolacrylamide from aqueous solutions was investigated with cotton printcloth, flanelette, and sateen fabrics and with cotton (50%)–polyester (50%) flannelette fabrics. Determinations were made of the effects of radiation dosage, mole ratio of vinyl phosphonate in the oligomer to N-methylolacrylamide in aqueous solution, concentration of reactants, wet pickup of solutions on fabrics, and irradiation of both dry and wet fabrics on efficiency of conversion of oligomer and monomer in solution to polymer add-on. The effects of vinyl phosphonate oligomer and N-methylolacrylamide radiation-initiated polymerization on some of the textile properties of cotton printcloth and on flame resistances of cotton and cotton–polyester fabrics were evaluated. The breaking strength of modified cotton printcloth was about the same as that of unmodified fabric; however, the tearing strength and flex abrasion resistance of modified fabric were reduced. The textile hand of the modified printcloth fabrics that had flame resistance indicated: interaction between cellulose and vinyl phosphonate oligomer–poly(N-methylolacrylamide) and uniform deposition in the fibrous cross section (transmission electron microscopy); surface areas of heavy deposits of oligomer–polymer (scanning electron microscopy); and phosphorus located throughout the fibrous cross section (energy dispersive x-ray analysis). Polymerization of vinyl phosphonate oligomer and N-methylolacrylamide was radiation initiated with cotton–polyester fabric; however, this modified fabric did not have flame-resistant properties.     

Absorption of metal cations by modified B. mori silk and preparation of fabrics with antimicrobial activity

Silk fabrics were modified by treatment with tannic acid (TA) solution or by acylation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) dianhydride. Kinetics of modification with TA and acylation with EDTA–dianhydride was investigated. The physico‐mechanical properties of silk fabrics acylated with EDTA–dianhydride remained unchanged regardless of chemical modification. The absorption of metal cations (Ag⁺, Cu²⁺) by untreated and modified silk fabrics was studied as a function of the kind of modifying agent, weight gain, and pH of the metal solution. The absorption of Cu²⁺ at alkaline pH was not significantly influenced by chemical modification of the silk substrate. The absorption of Ag⁺ by acylated silk remained at a level as low as untreated silk, while was enhanced by TA. The higher the content of TA, the higher the absorption of Ag⁺. With respect to the pH of the metal solution, the acylation with EDTA–dianhydride enabled silk to absorb and bind metal cations even in the acidic and neutral pH range, where tannic acid had no effect. Medium to high levels of metal desorption were exhibited by untreated and modified silk fabrics towards the metal cations, with the only exception of the silk–tannic acid–Ag complex, which displayed an extraordinary stability. All metal‐containing silks exhibited significant antibacterial activity. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 297–303, 2001     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorescent PEG-polyurethane with free carboxyl groups

An innovative spherical poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)/peat/clay porous composite bead was prepared and shown to be suitable for use as an adsorbent. The mass transport process for the adsorption of metal ions onto this composite bead in an aqueous system was investigated. In the external mass transport process, the diffusion coefficient (D₁) of Cu⁺² and Zn⁺² ions increased with increasing initial metal ion concentration and the increasing effect was more pronounced in the initial metal ion concentrations range of 18?×?10^-3 to 22?×?10^-3?M. The diffusion rate of Zn⁺² ions was faster than that of Cu⁺² ions. In the intraparticle diffusion process, the diffusion coefficient (D₂) decreased with increasing initial metal ion concentration in the initial concentration range of 1?×?10^-3 to 4?×?10^-3?M, and the value of D₂ maintained an almost constant value in the initial concentration range of 8?×?10^-3 to 22?×?10^-3?M. The rate of ion diffusion within the adsorbent for Cu⁺² ions was faster than that for Zn⁺² ions. The adsorption mechanism was controlled by the intraparticle diffusion process. The adsorption followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The maximum amount of adsorbed metal ions for Cu⁺² and Zn⁺² ions were 22.57 and 13.62?mg/g composite bead, respectively.     

Chelating water-soluble polymers associated with ultrafiltration membranes for metal ion removal

This article describes the retention properties of commercial chelating water-soluble polymers, for different metal ions in aqueous solution using a liquid-phase polymer-based retention (LPR) technique. The polymers studied were poly(ethyleneimine) or P(EI) (water-free and a 50?% aqueous solution) and poly(ethyleneimine epichlorohydrin) or P(EIE) (a 17?% aqueous solution). These commercial polymers were fractionated by ultrafiltration membranes and then characterized by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. The extraction process was performed using the following metal ions: Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cr³⁺. In the washing studies, we varied the pH (3, 5 and 7) and retention time. The results showed that P(EI) showed high retention for all the metal ions at pH 7 and for selective retention of Cu²⁺ at pH 5, while P(EIE) showed selective retention of Cu²⁺ ions at pH 7. Using the enrichment method, the maximum retention capacity of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was achieved using a 50?% aqueous solution of P(EI) at pH 5 and 7, respectively. Finally, charge–discharge experiments for Cu²⁺ were analysed by changing the pH from basic to acidic over three cycles. These results showed that it is possible to remove metal ions and regenerate the removal capacity of the polychelatogens using the LPR technique.     

Study on the synthesis,characterization, and sorption of some metal ions on gelatin‐ and acrylamide‐based hydrogels

Graft copolymers and networks of gelatin were synthesized with three acrylamides (acrylamide, 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid, and N‐iso‐propylacrylamide) by using a redox initiator system consisting of ammonium peroxysulfate–ferrous ammonium sulfate in either the absence or the presence of a crosslinker (N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide) at two temperatures. Characterization of synthesized polymers was studied by FTIR and thermal studies to investigate evidence of grafting or interpenetrating network formation and to investigate the effect of reaction conditions and crosslinker concentration on the properties of synthesized polymers. Detailed investigation into water‐uptake properties of these hydrogels was carried out as a function of time, temperature, and pH. The inherent properties of the monomer incorporated onto gelatin collectively act as determinant of the water‐absorption behavior of the hydrogels. Sorption of Fe⁺², Cr⁺⁶, and Cu⁺² ions from their aqueous solutions was also studied on select hydrogels, where it was observed that metal ions are sorbed by effective partitioning between hydrogels and solution phase and apart from the nature of metal ions, and structural aspects of hydrogels also determine the quantum of metal ion uptake. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3856–3871, 2003     

Selective Transport of Cu2+ Ions through Bulk Liquid Membrane System Mediated by Erythromycin Ethyl Succinate

The carrier mediated transport of Cu²⁺ ions from an aqueous medium has been examined. The ability of Erythromycin Ethyl Succinate (EES) as a carrier to form a complex with Cu²⁺ ions and transport them to the receiving phase is reported. The fundamental parameters influencing the transport of Cu²⁺ ions such as the pH in the source and receiving phases and concentration of the stripping agent in the receiving phase have been optimized and accordingly, the amount of Cu²⁺ transported across the liquid membrane after 5 h was 94.3 ± 1.8% in the presence of L-histidine as a suitable stripping agent. Moreover, the selectivity and efficiency of Cu²⁺ ions transport from aqueous solution over other cations in ternary and quaternary mixtures have been investigated. The results indicate that our fabricated membrane is very sensitive toward Cu⁺² ions in the presence of heavy metal ions.     

The colour properties of polyester/cotton knitted fabrics coated with poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)

The objective of this research was to investigate the use of crosslinked poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP) to coat polyester/cotton knitted fabric, without adversely affecting its dyeing properties. Before dyeing, the knitted fabrics were tested for bursting strength to assess the influence of the coating on their resistance. The dyeing parameters were evaluated as the exhaustion (%), K/S value, colour difference (ΔE), relative strength (RS %) and colour fastness to washing. Bursting strengths were 9.4 for coated and 9.7 kgf cm^?2 for uncoated knitted fabric samples, confirming an insignificant loss in resistance. In the evaluation of K/S, ΔE and RS%, the values for the samples with the highest concentration of PVP were the most different to those for the standard sample. The colour fastness showed satisfactory results indicating that neutralisation and washing after dyeing were effective. These results could lead to increased quality in the textile industry, adding value to products.     

Anionic Surfactant Impregnation in Solid Waste for Cu2+ Adsorption: Study of Kinetics,Equilibrium Isotherms,and Thermodynamic Parameters

Coconut shell powder (CP) and diatomite (Di) were modified with microemulsion (μE), producing low-cost adsorbents for copper (II) removal from aqueous solutions. The μE was prepared using as active phase an anionic surfactant sodium octanoate (SO), obtained from the saponification of octanoic acid. The effect of modification on the adsorption capacity of Cu⁺² was evaluated taking into consideration the solution pH, equilibrium time, temperature, and initial concentration of metal in solution. The adsorbents were analyzed by characterization techniques of X-Ray Fluorescence, scanning electron microscope and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The obtained experimental data were analyzed using the equations of Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin Radushkevich models. The initial concentration of 50 mg Cu⁺²/L solution and 0.2 g of adsorbent materials modified with the μE presented a Cu⁺² removal efficiency of 86.81% and 96.3% for CP and Di, respectively. The kinetic models of pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion were used in this study to describe the adsorption rate. The presence of sodium octanoate functional (OS) group provided ion exchange sites suitable to Cu⁺² adsorption. The stability of the OS impregnation using microemulsion was evaluated based on a desorption study.     

Water vapor permeability and mechanical properties of fabrics coated with shape‐memory polyurethane

Water vapor permeable fabrics were prepared by coating shape‐memory polyurethane (PU), which was synthesized from poly(tetramethylene glycol), 4,4′‐methylene bis(phenylisocyanate), and 1,4‐butanediol, onto polyester woven fabrics. Water vapor permeability and mechanical properties were investigated as a function of PU hard‐segment content or polymer concentration of the coating solution. Water vapor permeability of PU‐coated fabrics decreased dramatically with increased concentration of coating solution, whereas only a slight change was observed with the control of PU hard‐segment content. The coated fabric showed the clear appearance of a nonporous PU surface according to SEM measurements. Attainment of high water permeability in PU‐coated fabrics is considered to arise from the smart permeability characteristics of PU. Mechanical properties of coated fabrics, although there was some variation depending on the concentration of coating solution, were primarily affected by PU hard‐segment content. Fabrics coated with PU hard‐segment content of 40% showed the lowest breaking stress and modulus as well as the highest breaking elongation, which could be interpreted in terms of the dependency of mechanical properties of coated fabrics on PU hard‐segment content and the yarn mobility arising from a difference in penetrating degree of coating solution into the fabric. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2812–2816, 2004     

A new Cu-selective self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor based on thiacalix[4]arene

A new ON–OFF fluorescent chemosensor for Cu²⁺ ions was prepared through self-assembly inside Triton X-100 micelles of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TCA) and perylene in water solution. This thiacalix[4]arene-based self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor could realize the direct sensing of Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous solution. Addition of Cu²⁺ ions could result in a quenching of the fluorescence emission of perylene inside the micelles, which is ascribed to intramicellar complex-fluorophore electron-transfer or energy-transfer effects induced by the complexation of TCA with the Cu²⁺ ions. Cu²⁺ ions can be detected selectively in the presence of other metal ions (Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Al³⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and its concentration in the submicromolar range can be almost linearly determined according to the fluorescence quenching.     

Superabsorbent hydrogel based on modified polysaccharide for removal of Pb2+ and Cu2+ from water with excellent performance

This contribution describes the absorption percentage of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ from water by a superabsorbent hydrogel matrix (SH) made from an anionic polysaccharide copolymerized with acrylic acid (AAc) and acrylamide (AAm). Metal‐absorption tests, upon sequential pH variation, indicated that the SH has pH‐sensitivity for the absorption of both metals from solution, attributed to the functional ionic groups (? COOH) present in the AAc and arabic gum (AG) segments. At the pH 5.0, the SH exhibited good absorption capacity: 73.10% for Pb²⁺, 81.99% for Cu²⁺ in water and 63.64% for Pb²⁺, and 76.67% for Cu²⁺ in saline water with 0.1 mol kg^?1 ionic strength. A replicated 2² full factorial design with a central point was built to evaluate the maximum absorption capacity of the metals into the SH. It was found that both the interaction and main effects of the pH and the initial concentration of metal solution on absorption percentage of the metals were statistically significant. Surface response plots indicated that the absorption capacity of both metals into the SH may be appreciably improved by using the solutions with lower initial concentration of metal and with higher pH values. Metal‐absorption results demonstrated that the SH is a convenient material for absorption of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ from pure aqueous and saline aqueous environments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Removal of heavy metals from model wastewater by using carboxymehyl cellulose/2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid hydrogels

A series of functional copolymer hydrogels composed of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) were synthesized using γ‐radiations‐induced copolymerization and crosslinking. Preparation conditions were optimized, and the swelling characteristics were investigated. The ability of the prepared hydrogels to recover some toxic metal ions from their aqueous solutions was studied. The prepared hydrogel showed a great capability to recover metal ions such as: Mn⁺², Co⁺², Cu⁺², and Fe⁺³ from their solutions. The data revealed that the chelating ability of the prepared hydrogels is mainly dependent on their internal composition, in addition to the physical properties of the metal ion solution such as pH and metal ion concentration. The data show that the chelating ability of the prepared hydrogels increases by increasing the AMPS content in the hydrogel as well as the increment in the pH of the solution and the metal ion concentration. The prepared CMC/AMPS copolymer hydrogels are chemically stable enough to be reused for at least five times with the same efficiency. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Physicochemical investigation of radiation‐grafted poly(acrylic acid)‐graft‐poly(tetrafluoroethylene–ethylene) copolymer membranes and their use in metal recovery from aqueous solution

ET‐g‐PAAc membranes were obtained by radiation grafting of acrylic acid onto poly(tetrafluoroethylene–ethylene) copolymer films using a mutual technique. The ion selectivity of the grafted membranes was determined toward K⁺, Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, and Cu²⁺ in a mixed aqueous solution. The ion‐exchange capacity of the grafted membranes was measured by back titration and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The Hg²⁺ ion content of the membrane was more than that of either the K⁺ or Ag⁺ ions. The presence of metal ions in the membranes was studied by infrared and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy measurements. Scanning electron microscopy of the grafted and metal‐treated grafted membranes showed modification of the morphology of the surface due to the adsorption of K⁺ and Ag⁺ ions. No change was observed for the surface of the membrane that was treated with Hg²⁺ ions. The thermal stability of different membranes was improved more with Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions than with K⁺ ions. It was found that the modified grafted membranes possessed good hydrophilicity, which may make them promising candidates for practical applications, such as for cation‐exchange membranes in the recovery of metals from an aqueous solution. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2692–2698, 2002     

Poly(2‐acrylamido glycolic acid‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid): Synthesis,characterization, and retention properties for environmentally impacting metal ions

Poly(2‐acrylamido glycolic acid‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid) [P(AGA‐co‐APSA)] was synthesized by radical polymerization in an aqueous solution. The water‐soluble polymer, containing secondary amide, hydroxyl, carboxylic, and sulfonic acid groups, was investigated, in view of their metal‐ion‐binding properties, as a polychelatogen with the liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention technique under different experimental conditions. The investigated metal ions were Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cr³⁺, and these were studied at pHs 3, 5, and 7. P(AGA‐co‐APSA) showed efficient retention of all metal ions at the pHs studied, with a minimum of 60% for Co(II) at pH 3 and a maximum close to 100% at pH 7 for all metal ions. The maximum retention capacity (n metal ion/n polymer) ranged from 0.22 for Cd²⁺ to 0.34 for Ag⁺. The antibacterial activity of Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ polymer–metal complexes was studied, and P(AGA‐co‐APSA)–Cd²⁺ presented selective antibacterial activity for Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 2 μg/mL. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Polyimide-coated fabrics with multifunctional properties: Flame retardant,UV protective,and water proof

Multifunctional technical textiles are of great interest both by industry and academia and these products are considered as high value-added products that contribute to the economies of countries. In this study, polyamic acid (PAA) was synthesized through polycondensation of pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) in dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) at low temperature. Then, PAA was coated onto woven cotton and polyester fabric by padding technique. Finally, polyimide (PI)-coated multifunctional cotton and polyester fabrics were obtained by an easy coating technique and low-temperature imidization. Thus, low cost, easily accessible and widely used cotton and polyester fabrics were converted to high-performance textile products, which are flame retardant, UV protective, acid resistant, and waterproof. The chemical, thermal, morphological, optical, mechanical, wettability, chemical resistance, and flame retardancy properties of developed fabrics were investigated. Optical results showed that both PI-coated cotton and polyester fabrics are UV-A protective compared to noncoated fabrics. Moreover, PI-coated samples have high contact angles which are 111.43° and 113.40° for PI-coated cotton (PI-c-C) and PI-coated polyester (PI-c-PET), respectively. Young's modulus of PI-c-PET fabrics increased four times more than noncoated polyester fabric. PI coating changed the burning behavior of both cotton and polyester fabrics in a positive way. All the test results showed that these developed multifunctional textile products might find an application in different industrial areas such as automotive, aerospace, protective clothing, and so on due to easy and inexpensive production techniques and also superior properties. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47616.     

Preparation of novel bio-matrix by the complexation of DNA and metal ions

Large amounts of DNA-enriched biomaterials, such as salmon milts and shellfish gonads, are discarded as industrial waste around the world. We could convert the discarded DNA into a novel bio-matrix by the hybridization of DNA and metal ions, such as Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺. These water-insoluble DNA-metal ion matrices could be created in various desirable forms, such as a gel, capsule, film, or fiber. DNA-Al³⁺ matrices were found to maintain a B-form DNA structure, which was the native double-stranded DNA structure in water. The DNA-Al³⁺ fiber showed flexibility with the molecular orientation in the direction of drawing. When a DNA-Cu²⁺ matrix was incubated in an aqueous hydroquinone or ascorbic acid solution, benzoquinone or dehydroascorbic acid was produced, respectively, by the oxidative effect of Cu²⁺ in the DNA-metal ion matrix. These results suggest that metal ions in the DNA-metal matrix maintained the oxidative function. The water-insoluble DNA-metal ion matrices may have a potential utility as a functional bio-material, such as an antibacterial, oxidative, bio-sensor, and ion conductive materials.     

Removal of Some Heavy Metal Ions Using Grafted Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane (PU) was modified by grafting a mixture of two monomers acrylonitrile/acrylic acid (AN/AAc) by gamma irradiation method. Effects of various parameters such as, concentration of comonomer composition, grafting yield, gamma irradiation doses, dose rates and pH of adsorbent on the adsorption capacity were studied. Characterizations of the grafted polyurethane (PU-g-AN/AAc) were investigated using infrared (IR) spectroscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Moreover, the adsorption capacities of some heavy metals such as, Zn(II), Fe(II), Ca(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) onto PU-foam and PU-g-AN/AAc were studied. The efficiency of such grafted polyurethane foams for uptaking different previous metal ions was determined and compared with that of natural granular activated carbon (GAC). The uptaking of metal ions was remarkably affected by the pH of the solution, the valances of metal ions, atomic weight and its initial concentrations. Equilibrium isotherms and interruptible diffusivities were investigated through batch experiments in analyzing the uptaking of aqueous solutions of metal ions onto PU foam, grafted PU, and granular activated carbon. The Frundlich constants k and 1/n have been determined for each metal ion to represent both the ability and the affinity of that ions towards the uptaking materials, respectively.     

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.