The use of polymers as sequestering agents for toxic metal ions

Polymer-metal complexes were formed by nonsolvent precipitation technique for the metals Co, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Fe, and polystyrene (Pst), Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and Nylon 66. By means of Fourier transform Infrared studies, it was established that chemical bonds actually do exist between the metal ions and the polymers (i.e., that the metal ions are not simply adsorbed on the surface of the polymers), It was observed also that the degrees of metal-polymer interaction vary from polymer, from metal ion to metal ion, and depend on the metal ion concentration. These observations are explained in terms of the atomic radii and charges on the transition metal ions. The number and type of interaction sites/ligands on the substrates are also considered relevant. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.