Synthesis and adsorption properties, toward some heavy metal ions, of a new polystyrene-based terpyridine polymer

A novel polymeric ligand having 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine as pendant group was prepared through a Williamson type etherification approach for the reaction between 4′-hydroxy-2,2′: 6′,2″- terpyridine and the commercially available 4-chloromethyl polystyrene. The chelating properties of the new polymer toward the divalent metal ions (Cu ²⁺, Zn ²⁺, Ni ²⁺, and Pb ²⁺) in aqueous solutions was studied by a batch equilibration technique as a function of contact time, pH, mass of resin, and concentration of metal ions. The amount of metal-ion uptake of the polymer was determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry. Results of the study revealed that the resin exhibited higher capacities and a more pronounced adsorption toward Pb ²⁺ and that the metal-ion uptake follows the order: Pb ²⁺ > Cu ²⁺ > Zn ²⁺ > Ni ²⁺. The adsorption and binding capacity of the resin toward the various metal ions investigated are discussed.