Comparative Study for Adsorption of Al(III) Ions from Aqueous Solutions with Series of Nano Functional Copolymers

Abstract

Abstract High aluminum concentrations (3.6 to 6 mg/l) may precipitate as aluminum hydroxide affecting aquatic life. The present investigation aim is the sorption of Al3+ from aqueous solution using novel copolymers as an adsorbent. Nano chelating resins based on modified poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) (SMA) with 2-aminopyridine, 3-aminobenzoic acid or p-sulfanilic acid were synthesized. These modified resins were further reacted by 1,2-diaminoethane or 1,3-diaminopropanefor preparation of nano tri-dimensional chelating resin in the presence of ultrasonic irradiations along with vigorous magnetic stirring. The synthesized copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), elemental analysis, XRD, SEM and thermal analysis (TGA/DTG). These polymeric resins, bearing O and N donor groups, had the advantage of being stable in basic and saline media. The adsorption of Al3+ ions by copolymers was investigated by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The sorption behavior of Al3+ ions at different pH values was examined with a batch equilibration technique and the results of Al(III) adsorption by different functionalized copolymers were compared. The maximum adsorption capacity was observed with copolymers at an optimal pH of 5. Keywords: Functional polymerstri-dimensional polymersaluminum ionadsorption