Synthesis of a New Cellulose Ion Exchanger and Use for the Separation of Heavy Metals in Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Ion exchange resin based on cellulose has been synthesized to separate the heavy metals, such as Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Cr in aqueous solutions. The total ion exchange capacity (IEC) of resin synthesized was determined 3.3 meq · g⁻¹ as wet and 4.1 meq · g⁻¹ as dry and average swelling percentage as 19.8. Sodium trimetaphosphate was used as an elution agent for the removal of heavy metals. Distribution coefficients of these elements have been determined regarding five different concentrations of sodium trimetaphosphate (3 · 10⁻³ M; 5 · 10⁻³ M; 0.01 M; 0.05 M; 0.1 M) on the this resin. By considering these distribution coefficients, the separation of heavy metals has been performed with 5 · 10⁻³ M sodium trimetaphosphate at room temperature. Qualitative and quantitative determinations were realized by ICP. This study has been indicated that the resin synthesized has preferable properties.

Keywords:

• Cellulose ion exchanger
• heavy metals
• sodium trimetaphosphate
• ion exchange
• ICP

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Turkish Petroleum Foundation and also by Mustafa Kemal University.