Polysulfones with chelating groups for heavy metals retention

The formation conditions of new quaternized polysulfones with chelating groups (methyl 3‐pyridyl ketone) (KQPSF) and the major factors influencing the retention process of copper ions were analyzed by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The investigations showed that the percentage of copper ions retained by KQPSF increases by increasing both the time of immersion in a CuCl2·2H2O aqueous solution, and molarity, the maximum value being attained on immersion for 48 h, at a temperature of 60°C and a molarity of 1.5 M. It can be concluded that methyl 3‐pyridyl ketone might be used for obtaining complex polysulfone structures employed by multiple applications, including wastewater purification. POLYM. COMPOS.,, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers