Synthesis and characterization of new water‐soluble metal–polymer complex and its application for arsenite retention

New water‐soluble metal–polymers of poly(acrylic acid)s (AA) with different amounts of tin (3, 5, 10, and 20 wt %) were synthesized and characterized. The materials were characterized by ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), specific area by isotherm of CO₂, and thermogravimetry‐differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC). The synthesized material is crystalline and shows an average crystal size 90–130 nm and has a high thermal stability (>200°C). Texturally, they are complexes of small specific area, which decreases when the crystal size increases with the tin content. Presumably, the Sn(II) ions coordinate through 2‐4 carboxylate groups by a conventionally bidentate structure; however, they are not symmetric. Studies have been dedicated to support of tin in polymers to increase its efficiency in eliminating pollutants. The tin‐metal salt is added to the poly(AA) matrix to increase its ability to remove As(III) from an aqueous solution. The liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention technique is applied to retain and separate contaminants from water. The analysis of As(III) and As(V) species was made by combining liquid high‐resolution chromatographic coupled to hydride generation absorption atomic spectrophotometer (HPLC‐HG‐AAS). All indicated that As(III) was the predominant species bound to the polymer complex for the pH range 4–8. The polymers containing 10 and 20 wt % Sn presented the highest retention of 70 and 90% As(III), respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009