Water‐insoluble polymers with ability to remove metal ions

Crosslinked poly[3‐(methacryloylamino)propyl]dimethyl(3‐sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide‐co‐2‐acrylamido glycolic acid [P(MAAPDSA‐co‐AGCO)] was synthesized by radical polymerization and tested as an adsorbent under competitive and noncompetitive conditions for Cu(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), and Cr(III) by batch and column equilibrium procedures. The resin–metal ion equilibrium was achieved before 1 h. The resin showed a maximum retention capacity value for Hg(II) at pH 2 of 1.084 meq/g. The recovery of the resin was investigated at 20°C under different concentrations of HNO₃ and HClO₄. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3679–3685, 2004