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Abstract
Composite particles were prepared by coating magnetite microparticles with nanoparticles of a tailored polymer carrying carboxylic groups. Particles were characterized and used in the extraction of Zn2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ from solutions in the concentration range 0.076−0.32 mM. Extraction was very fast, increased with pH, and yielded nearly complete removal. Synergistic effects were observed in the extraction with composite particles. The selectivity series was Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Ni2+. Stripping, using HCl at pH 2, was complete. Ten Zn2+ extraction and stripping cycles indicated that the particles could be reused without significant loss in their extraction capacity.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to thank the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for financial support, and the British Council for providing an Overseas Research Award to P. Phanapavudhikul. They also wish to thank the referees for their careful reading of this article and their valuable suggestions.