Synthesis, characterization, and properties of a selective adsorbent to mercury(II) ions

A resin containing 3‐(dimethylamine)propyl acrylate and 4‐vinylpyridine was synthesized by radical polymerization (in 1:1 mole ratio). Ammonium persulfate (0.5 mol %) and N,N′‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (2 mol %) were used as initiator and crosslinking reagents, respectively. The resin was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy. The ability to bind Hg(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and Cr(III) as well as the maximum adsorption capacity and elution of Hg(II) ions from the loaded resin was studied. Sorption selectivity from ternary mixture Hg(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) was studied at the optimum sorption pH value. At pH 2 the adsorbent retained 98% of Hg(II); the retention of the other metal ions was lower than 20%. The elution assay was made in HClO4 solutions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2559–2563, 2002