Synthesis,characterization, and properties for Hg2+ of new chelating resin containing sulfoxide and 3‐aminopyridine

A new chelating resin (PVESO‐AP) containing sulfoxide and 3‐aminopyridine (AP) was synthesized by using chloromethylated polystyrene‐co‐divinylbenzene (PS‐Cl) as material. Its structure was characterized by infrared spectra and elemental analysis. The adsorption capacities of the newly formed resin for Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Ni²⁺ were determined at pH 2 and 5. In addition, the adsorption selective coefficients for Hg²⁺ in several binary mixture systems were investigated by batch experiment method. The results showed that this resin had high adsorption selectivity for Hg²⁺. The adsorption kinetics and isothermal of PVESO‐AP for Hg²⁺ at different temperatures were also investigated. The adsorption kinetics showed that the apparent activation energy E_a was 13.71 kJ/mol. The results also showed that the Langmuir model was better than the Frundlich model to describe the isothermal process of PVESO‐AP resin for Hg²⁺. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation and adsorption selectivity for Hg(II) and Ag(I) of chelating resin immobilizing benzothiazolyl group on crosslinked polystyrene via hydrophilic sulfur‐containing PEG spacer

A new chelating resin incorporating 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (MBZ) into macroporous chloromethylated polystyrene via hydrophilic spacer of polyethylene glycol containing sulfur was synthesized. The resin was characterized by elementary analysis and infrared spectra. The adsorption capacity of the resin for Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺ as a function of pH was determined. The effects of interference ions, such as Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺, on percent recovery were also investigated. The results showed that the resin could effectively remove Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ from solutions containing a large excess of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺. In column operation, it was observed that Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ in trace quantities were effectively removed from binary metal ions. The percent recovery of the resin for Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ was >98.6% and >97.5%, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 5034–5038, 2006     

Synthesis and adsorption properties of macroporous cross‐linked polystyrene that contains an immobilizing 2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiodiazole with tetraethylene glycol spacers

A novel chelating resin macroporous cross‐linked polystyrene immobilizing 2,5‐dimercapto‐1,3,4‐thiodiazole via a hydrophilic tetraethylene glycol spacer (PS‐TEG‐BMT) is synthesized and the structure is characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X‐ray microanalysis (EDX), and elementary analysis. Its adsorption capacity for several metal ions such as Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺, Bi³⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ are investigated. The initial experimental result shows that this resin has higher adsorption selectivity for Hg²⁺ and Ni²⁺ than for the other metal ions and the introduction of hydrophilic TEG spacer is beneficial to increase adsorption capacities. The result also shows that the Langmuir model is better than the Freundlich model to describe the isothermal process of PS‐TEG‐BME resin for Hg²⁺. Five adsorption‐desorption cycles demonstrate that this resin are suitable for reuse without considerable change in adsorption capacity. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:1515–1521, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study of the synthesis of chitosan derivatives containing benzo‐21‐crown‐7 and their adsorption properties for metal ions

Three new chitosan crown ethers, N‐Schiff base‐type chitosan crown ethers (I, III), and N‐secondary amino type chitosan crown ether (II) were prepared. N‐Schiff base‐type chitosan crown ethers (I, III) were synthesized by the reaction of 4′‐formylbenzo‐21‐crown‐7 with chitosan or crosslinked chitosan. N‐Secondary amino type chitosan‐crown ether (II) was prepared through the reaction of N‐Schiff base type chitosan crown ether (I) with sodium brohydride. Their structures were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra analysis, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and solid‐state ¹³C NMR analysis. In the infrared spectra, characteristic peaks of C?N stretch vibration appeared at 1636 cm^?1 for I and 1652 cm^?1 for II; characteristic peaks of N? H stretch vibration appeared at 1570 cm^?1 in II. The X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that the peaks at 2θ = 10° and 28° disappeared in chitosan derivatives I and III, respectively; the peak at 2θ = 10° disappeared and the peak at 2θ = 28° decreased in chitosan‐crown ether II; and the peak at 2θ = 20° decreased in all chitosan derivatives. In the solid‐state ¹³C NMR, characteristic aromatic carbon appeared at 129 ppm in all chitosan derivatives, and the characteristic peaks of carbon in C?N groups appeared at 151 ppm in chitosan crown ethers I and III. The adsorption and selectivity properties of I, II, and III for Pd²⁺, Au³⁺, Pt⁴⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺ were studied. Experimental results showed these adsorbents not only had good adsorption capacities for noble metal ions Pd²⁺, Au³⁺, Pt⁴⁺, and Ag⁺, but also high selectivity for the adsorption of Pd²⁺ with the coexistence of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺. Chitosan‐crown ether II only adsorbs Hg²⁺ and does not adsorbs Cu²⁺ in an aqueous system containing Pd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1886–1891, 2002     

Synthesis of polystyrene‐supported glucosamine resin and its adsorption properties for metal ions

A novel chelating resin polystyrene‐supported glucosamine was prepared by the reaction of chloromethylated polystyrene with glucosamine hydrochlorate, using anhydrous potassium carbonate as catalyst and dimethylformamide as solvent. Infrared spectra and elementary analysis were used to confirm its structure. The adsorption of the resin for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ was investigated, as well as various factors affecting the adsorption such as time, temperature, ion concentration, and pH. The results showed that the resin had good adsorption capacities for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Hg²⁺. The adsorption was controlled by liquid film diffusion and adsorption isothermal data could be well interpreted by the Freundlich equation. Values of adsorption activation energy and adsorption Gibbs free energy were calculated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 890–896, 2005     

Adsorption properties of novel chelating resins containing 2‐amino‐5‐methylthio‐1,3,4‐thiadizole and hydrophilic spacer arms for Hg2+ and Ag+

The adsorption properties, including the adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and adsorption selectivity, of newly formed chelating resins that contained a heterocyclic functional group and a hydrophilic spacer arm of poly(ethylene glycol) [polystyrene–diethylene glycol–2‐amino‐5‐methylthio‐1,3,4‐thiadizole (PS–DEG–AMTZ) and polystyrene–triethylene glycol–2‐amino‐5‐methylthio‐1,3,4‐thiadizole (PS–TEG–AMTZ)] were studied in detail. The results show that the adsorption kinetics of PS–DEG–AMTZ and PS–TEG–AMTZ for Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ could be described by a pseudo‐second‐order rate equation. The introduction of a spacer arm between the polymeric matrix and functional group was beneficial for increasing the adsorption rates. The apparent activation energies of the resins for Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ were within 20.89–32.32 kJ/mol. The Langmuir model could describe the isothermal process of Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺. The competitive adsorption of the resins for Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ in binary mixture systems was also investigated. The results show that Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ were adsorbed before the other metal ions, such as Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺, under competitive conditions. Five adsorption–desorption cycles were conducted for the reuse of the resins. The results indicate that these two resins were suitable for reuse without considerable changes in the adsorption capacity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Synthesis and Metal‐ion Binding Properties of New N2S4O2‐ and N2S5O2‐Donor Macrocycles

Abstract

Synthetic procedures for new mixed‐donor macrocycle compounds were reported. The macrocyclic compounds were used in solvent extraction metal picrates such as Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Co²⁺. The metal picrate extractions were investigated at 25±0.1°C with the aid of UV‐visible spectrometry. It was found that 6,7,9,10,12,13,23,24‐octahydro‐19H,26Hdibenzo[h,t](1,4,7,13,16,22,10,19) dioxatetrathiadiazasiclotetracosine‐20,27(21H,28H)‐dione showed selectivity towards Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ among the other metals. The extraction constants (Log K_ex) and complex compositions were determined for the Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ complexes for this compound and 9,10,12,13,23,24,26,27,29,30‐decahydro‐5H,15H‐dibenzo‐[h,w][1,4,7,13,16,19,25‐,10,22] dioxapentathiadiazacycloheptacosine‐6,16(7H,17H)‐dione.     

Preparation and adsorption behavior for metal ions of cyclic polyamine derivative of chitosan

The new macrocyclic polyamine derivatives of chitosan were synthesized by reacting epoxy‐activated macrocyclic tetra‐amine with C6 hydroxyl or C2 amino group in chitosan. The obtained copolymers contain amino functional groups in its skeleton and secondary amines, and more polar hydroxyl groups. Elemental analysis, infrared spectra, and solid‐state ¹³C NMR analysis confirmed their structures. The adsorption behavior of the macrocyclic polyamine grafted chitosan for Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Cr³⁺ were investigated. The experimental results showed that the two novel derivatives of chitosan have high adsorption capacity and good selectivity for some metal ions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3018–3023, 2006     

Synthesis,characterization, and metal ions adsorption properties of chitosan–calixarenes (I)

Calixarene‐modified chitosans (CTS–CA‐I and CTS–CA‐II) were first synthesized by the reaction of chitosan (CTS‐NH₂) with 1,3‐bis‐chloroethoxyethoxy‐2,4‐dihydroxy‐p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene (CA‐I) or its benzoyl derivative (CA‐II). Their structures were characterized by infrared and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption of Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pd²⁺, Ag⁺, and Hg²⁺ by CTS–CA‐I and CTS–CA‐II was studied and the thermodynamic parameter of two calixarene‐modified chitosans toward Hg²⁺ was deduced. The adsorption properties of CTS–CA‐I and CTS–CA‐II were greatly varied compared with that CTS‐NH₂, especially with the adsorption capacity toward Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺, because of the presence of the calixarene moiety. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1139–1144, 2003     

Macroporous chelating resins incorporating heterocyclic functional groups via hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) spacer arms. II. Adsorption properties

Several new chelating resins prepared from macroporous chloromethylated polystyrene‐co‐divinylbenzene by either direct attachment of the heterocyclic functional groups, such as 2‐aminopyridine, 2‐amino‐5‐methylthio‐1,3,4‐thiadizole, 2‐amino‐5‐ethyl‐1,3,4‐thiadizole, and 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole, to the polymeric matrix or through different hydrophilic spacer arms were tested for the adsorption properties toward Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ in an ammonium acetate buffer solution of pH 3.0. The results show that these resins exhibited a high affinity for Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺. The introduction of hydrophilic spacer arms between the polymeric matrix and heterocyclic functional groups resulted in an increase in the hydrophilicity and adsorption capacity of the resins. The presence of spacer arms made the kinetics of adsorption faster. The influence of the length of the spacer arm on the adsorption properties was also investigated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Sorption properties of the iminodiacetate ion exchange resin,amberlite IRC‐718, toward divalent metal ions

The sorption properties of the commercially available cationic exchange resin, Amberlite IRC‐718, that has the iminodiacetic acid functionality, toward the divalent metal‐ions, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺ were investigated by a batch equilibration technique at 25°C as a function of contact time, metal ion concentration, mass of resin used, and pH. Results of the study revealed that the resin exhibited higher capacities and a more pronounced adsorption toward Fe²⁺ and that the metal‐ion uptake follows the order: Fe²⁺ > Cu²⁺> Zn²⁺ >Ni²⁺. The adsorption and binding capacity of the resin toward the various metal ions investigated are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

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.     

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     

Alanine containing porous beads for mercury removal from artificial solutions

N‐methacryloyl‐(L )‐alanine (MALA) was synthesized by using methacryloyl chloride and alanine as a metal‐complexing ligand or comonomer. Spherical beads with an average diameter of 150–200 μm were obtained by suspension polymerization of MALA and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) conducted in an aqueous dispersion medium. Poly(HEMA–MALA) beads were characterized by SEM, swelling studies, surface area measurement, and elemental analysis. Poly(HEMA–MALA) beads have a specific surface area of 68.5 m²/g. Poly(HEMA–MALA) beads with a swelling ratio of 63%, and containing 247 μmol MALA/g were used in the removal of Hg²⁺ from aqueous solutions. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in about 60 min. The adsorption of Hg²⁺ ions onto PHEMA beads was negligible (0.3 mg/g). The MALA incorporation into the polymer structure significantly increased the mercury adsorption capacity (168 mg/g). Adsorption capacity of MALA containing beads increased significantly with pH. The adsorption of Hg²⁺ ions increased with increasing pH and reached a plateau value at around pH 5.0. Competitive heavy metal adsorption from aqueous solutions containing Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ was also investigated. The adsorption capacities are 44.5 mg/g for Hg²⁺, 6.4 mg/g for Cd²⁺, 2.9 mg/g for Pb²⁺, and 2.0 mg/g for Cu²⁺ ions. These results may be considered as an indication of higher specificity of the poly(HEMA–MALA) beads for the Hg²⁺ comparing to other ions. Consecutive adsorption and elution operations showed the feasibility of repeated use for poly(HEMA–MALA) chelating beads. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1222–1228, 2006     

Preparation and adsorption behavior of macrocyclic tetra‐amine derivatives of chitosan

The new macrocyclic polyamine derivatives of chitosan were synthesized by reacting epoxy‐activated macrocyclic tetra‐amine with the C6 hydroxyl or C2 amino group in chitosan. The obtained copolymers (CTS‐OM, CTS‐NM) contain amino functional groups, the secondary amines, and more polar hydroxyl groups in its skeleton. Elemental analysis, infrared spectra, and solid‐state ¹³C‐NMR analysis confirmed their structures. The adsorption behavior of the macrocyclic polyamine grafted chitosan for Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Cr³⁺ was investigated. The experimental results showed that the two novel derivatives of chitosan have high adsorption capacity and good selectivity for some metal ions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 407–412, 2005     

Synthesis and evaluation of chitosan aryl azacrown ethers as adsorbents for metal ions

New azacrown ether chitosan derivatives (CTS–OC, CTS–NC) were synthesized by reaction of aryl mesocyclic diamine with the C6 hydroxyl group or C2 amino group in chitosan. Their structures were confirmed by elemental analysis, infrared spectra analysis, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The adsorption and selectivity properties of the aryl azacrown ethers chitosan derivatives for Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, and Cr³⁺ were also investigated. The experimental results showed that the two chitosan–azacrown ethers have good adsorption capacity for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Hg²⁺. The adsorption capacity of CTS–OC are higher than that of CTS–NC for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺. The chitosan–azacrown ethers have high selectivity for the adsorption of Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ with the coexistence of Cd²⁺. The selectivity properties of CTS–OC are better than those of CTS–NC. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 3093–3098, 2000     

The Synthesis of New N2S2‐Macrocyclic Schiff Base Ligands and Investigation of Their Ion Extraction Capability from Aqueous Media

Abstract

Two new macrocyclic Schiff bases, (5) and (7), containing nitrogen‐sulfur donor atoms were designed and synthesized by reaction of α,α′ bis(o‐aminophenylthio)‐1,2‐xylene with glyoxal and phthaldialdehyde, respectively. The liquid‐liquid extraction of metal picrates such as Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺ from aqueous phase to the organic phase was carried out using the novel ligands. The effect of chloroform and dichloromethane as organic solvents over the metal picrate extractions was investigated at 25±0.1°C by using UV‐visible spectrometry. The extractability and selectivity of the tested metal picrates were evaluated. The values of the extraction constants (log K_ex) were determined for the extracted complexes.     

Separation and Recovery of Silver(I) Ions from Base Metal Ions by Melamine‐formaldehyde‐thiourea (MFT) Chelating Resin

Abstract

Melamine‐formaldehyde‐thiourea (MFT) chelating resin were prepared using melamine (2,4,6‐triamino‐1,3,5‐triazine), formaldehyde, and thiourea and this resin has been used for separation and recovery of silver(I) ions from copper(II) and zinc(II) base metals and calcium(II) alkaline‐earth metal in aqueous solution. The MFT chelating resin was characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR spectra. The effect of pH, adsorption capacity, and equilibrium time by batch method and adsorption, elution, flow rate, column capacity, and recovery by column method were studied. The maximum uptake values of MFT resin were found as 60.05 mg Ag⁺/g by batch method and 11.08 mg Ag⁺/g, 0.052 mg Zn²⁺/g, 0.083 mg Cu²⁺/g and 0.020 mg Ca²⁺/g by column method. It was seen that MFT resin showed higher uptake behavior for silver(I) ions than base and earth metals due to chelation.     

Catalytic potential of a poly(AAc‐co‐HPMA‐cl MBAm)‐matrix‐immobilized lipase from a thermotolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC‐4713

A purified alkaline thermo‐tolerant lipase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC‐4713 was immobilized on a series of five noble weakly hydrophilic poly(AAc‐co‐HPMA‐cl MBAm) hydrogels. The hydrogel synthesized by copolymerizing acrylic acid and 2‐hydroxy propyl methacrylate in a ratio of 5 : 1 (HG_5:1 matrix) showed maximum binding efficiency for lipase (95.3%, specific activity 1.96 IU mg^?1 of protein). The HG_5:1 immobilized lipase was evaluated for its hydrolytic potential towards p‐NPP by studying the effect of various physical parameters and salt‐ions. The immobilized lipase was highly stable and retained ～92% of its original hydrolytic activity after fifth cycle of reuse for hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl palmitate at pH 7.5 and temperature 55°C. However, when the effect of pH and temperature was studied on free and bound lipase, the HG_5:1 immobilized lipase exhibited a shift in optima for pH and temperature from pH 7.5 and 55°C to 8.5 and 65°C in free and immobilized lipase, respectively. At 1 mM concentration, Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, NH₄⁺, and Al³⁺ ions promoted and Co²⁺ ions inhibited the hydrolytic activities of free as well as immobilized lipase. However, exposure of either free or immobilized lipase to any of these ions at 5 mM concentration strongly increased the hydrolysis of p‐NPP (by ～3–4 times) in comparison to the biocatalysts not exposed to any of the salt ions. The study concluded that HG_5:1 matrix efficiently immobilized lipase of P. aeruginosa MTCC‐4713, improved the stability of the immobilized biocatalyst towards a higher pH and temperature than the free enzyme and interacted with Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, NH₄⁺, and Al³⁺ ions to promote rapid hydrolysis of the substrate (p‐NPP). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4252–4259, 2006     

Adsorption of metal cations on wool carbonising waste. Part 1. Adsorption isotherms

The adsorption of various metal ions (Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Ni²⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺) on wool carbonising waste has been investigated to assess its possible use as an adsorbent in water pollution control. Isotherms show that few metal ions (Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Ni²⁺) are adsorbed satisfactorily by this material. Moreover, the adsorption capacity of the plant material within the carbonising waste is higher than that of the keratin fraction. Equations fitting the experimental data can be used for the design of processing units.