Extraction of metal ions from an aqueous solution

A method for the making and use of a porous, preferably dimensionally stable, hydrophobic polymer for the extraction of metal ions from an aqueous solution, with the polymer being in the form of a regenerative granulate or powder having an average particle diameter of from 0.1 to 10 mm and pores of from 0.1 to 50 mu m, which is obtained by the dissolving of a polymer, with heating, at a temperature above the upper critical demixing temperature Tc in a complexing agent containing hydrophobic liquid, followed by lowering of the temperature, resulting in a porous polymer filled with the hydrophobic liquid, and the mechanical diminution of the solidified mass is disclosed. Favorable results have been attained using polypropylene as the hydrophobic polymer, bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)thio acid as the complexing agent, and with a mixture of dibenzyl toluene and/or polypropylene glycol ether being part of the hydrophobic liquid.