Uptake of divalent metal ions (Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+) by polysiloxane immobilized glycinate ligand system

Porous solid siloxane polymer carrying glycinate functional group of formula -(CH2)(3)NHCH2COOH has been prepared by the sol-gel process. Treatment of aqueous solutions of divalent metal ions with the polysiloxane glycinate ligand system demonstrates that this material exhibits high potential for preconcentration of metal ions (Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+). The ligand system chemisorbs these divalent metal ions, at optimum conditions, in the order: Cd2+ < Zn2+ < Cu2+. The uptake of copper ions is concentration dependent but it is independent on the presence of other competing ions. Treatment of the glycinate Ligand system with acidic solution results in leaching of bound ligands. The highest leaching occurs in presence of copper ions at low pH.