Porous dye affinity beads for nickel adsorption from aqueous solutions: A kinetic study

We investigated a new adsorbent system, Reactive Red 120 attached poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate ethylene dimethacrylate) poly(HEMA–EDMA)] beads, for the removal of Ni²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions. Poly(HEMA–EDMA) beads were prepared by the modified suspension copolymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate. Reactive Red 120 molecules were covalently attached to the beads. The beads (150–250 μm), having a swelling ratio of 55% and carrying 25.5 μmol of Reactive Red 120/g of polymer, were used in the removal of Ni²⁺ ions. The adsorption rate and capacity of the Reactive Red 120 attached poly(HEMA–EDMA) beads for Ni²⁺ ions was investigated in aqueous media containing different amounts of Ni²⁺ ions (5–35 mg/L) and having different pH values (2.0–7.0). Very high adsorption rates were observed at the beginning, and adsorption equilibria were then gradually achieved in about 60 min. The maximum adsorption of Ni²⁺ ions onto the Reactive Red 120 attached poly(HEMA–EDMA) beads was 2.83 mg/g at pH 6.0. The nonspecific adsorption of Ni²⁺ ions onto poly(HEMA–EDMA) beads was negligible (0.1 mg/g). The desorption of Ni²⁺ ions was studied with 0.1M HNO₃. High desorption ratios (>90%) were achieved. The intraparticle diffusion rate constants at various temperatures were calculated as k_20°C = 0.565 mg/g min^0.5, k_30°C = 0.560 mg/g min^0.5, and k_40°C = 0.385 mg/g min^0.5. Adsorption–desorption cycles showed the feasibility of repeated use of this novel adsorbent system. The equilibrium data fitted very well both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model was used to describe the kinetic data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100:5056–5065, 2006