Synthesis,characterization and application of a novel nanometer-sized chelating resin for removal of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions

A novel nanometer-sized chelating resin (NSCR) was prepared via two steps, First step: copolymerization reaction of N-methacryloxyphtalimide (NMP) with methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) by suspension polymerization method to give ultrafine poly (NMP-co-MBA). Second step: reaction of triethylenetetramine (TETA) with poly (NMP-co-MBA) to give NSCR. The prepared NSCR was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Taller (BET) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This study illustrated the capability of NSCR for extraction of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) from aquatic solutions. The pH effect, metal ions concentration, temperature and contact time were elaborated in batch experiments. The results showed that high capacities were 1.3, 1.0 and 0.95 mmol/g resin for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) ions, respectively. The experimental data of adsorption isotherms were convenient for Langmuir isotherm, and the kinetic data illustrated that the removal process was described by pseudo-second order kinetic model. The parameters of Thermo dynamic illustrated that the process of adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous reaction. The prepared NSCR was regenerated and used repetitively for five times with small decrease in adsorption capacity.