Synthesis and metal ions sorption properties of styrene‐based polymers

Atactic polystyrene (PS) was chemically modified with maleic (MAH), succinic (SAH), and phtalic (PhAH) anhydrides. Styrene was copolymerized with acrylic (AA) and methacrylic acids (MA). Amount of carboxyl groups (%) bound to polymers was determined in the range of 6.9–25.9. Different modified polystyrenes (MPS) and styrene copolymers were used in the experiments to study Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions adsorption probability and their comparison. Sorption capacity of the polymers for the metal ions were investigated in aqueous media containing different amounts of these ions (5–40 mg/L) and at different pH values (2.0–6.0). Adsorption behavior of heavy metal ions could be modeled using both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. It was found that the adsorption capacity is highest at pH value of 6, whereas it decreases as the pH value decreases at temperature 25°C ± 1°C for 240 min. The results obtained from the adsorption capacity experiments for Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions were 3.47–5.45 and 5.42–6.85 mg/g, respectively. The affinity order of polymers for both metal ions was observed as follows: SMAC > SAAC > MPS with MAH > MPS with SAH > MPS with PhAH. The maximum adsorption capacities of SMAC were 6.85mg/g for Zn(II) and 5.45 mg/g for Cu(II). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009