Abstract

The poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) amine functionalized weak resin was studied as adsorbent of heavy metal ions from an aqueous solution by using the Batch equilibrium procedure. The resin adsorbed Hg(II) 56% (0.56 mEq/g) at pH 2, and 45% (1.13 mEq/g) of U(VI), 38% (0.36 mEq/g) of Pb(II) at pH 5 from an aqueous solution containing 1 g/L of each metal ion. It did not adsorb Cd(II), Zn(II). The equilibrium time was achieved during the first hour. The maximum load capacity for Hg(II) was 0.8 mEq/g (75 mg)/g dry resin. It is possible to recover around 60% of the resin after the treatment with 1-4 M HC104 and HNO3 of the loaded Hg(II) resin. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.