Removal of Heavy-Metal Ions by Magnetic Beads Containing Triazole Chelating Groups

The aim of this study was to prepare magnetic beads that could be used for the removal of heavy-metal ions from synthetic solutions. Magnetic poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) [m-poly (EGDMA-VTAZ)] beads were produced by suspension polymerization in the presence of a magnetite Fe3O4 nanopowder. The specific surface area of the m-poly(EGDMAVTAZ) beads was 74.8 m(2)/g with a diameter range of 150-200 mu m, and the swelling ratio was 84%. The average Fe3O4 content of the resulting m-poly(EGDMA-VTAZ) beads was 14.8%. The maximum binding capacities of the m-poly (EGDMA-VTAZ) beads from aquous solution were 284.3 mg/g for Hg2+, 193.8 mg/g for Pb2+, 151.5 mg/g for Cu2+, 128.1 mg/g for Cd2+, and 99.4 mg/g for Zn2+. The affinity order on a mass basis was Hg2+ > Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+> Zn2+. The binding capacities from synthetic waste water were 178.1 mg/g for Hg2+, 132.4 mg/g for Pb2+, 83.5 mg/g for Cu2+, 54.1 mg/g for Cd2+, and 32.4 mg/g for Zn2+. The magnetic beads could be regenerated (up to ca. 97%) by a treatment with 0.1 M HNO3. These features make m-poly(EGDMA-VTAZ) beads potential supports for heavy-metal removal under a magnetic field. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 2246-2253, 2009