Abstract
AbstractThe separation of heavy metals by complexation with macromolecular water‐soluble agents and subsequent ultrafiltration is described. The method can be expected to join common techniques of metal separation like liquid‐liquid extraction, adsorption, redox reaction or liquid membrane permeation. Reactions between metal ions and polymer phases are characterized as pH‐dependent distribution equilibria illustrated at a propene‐maleic acid copolymer as an example. The complexation behaviour of the substance under study is governed by isotherms of the saturation type. Attempts proved to be successful to calculate break‐through constants as well as saturation capacities from batch‐type studies and dynamic measurements by transferring the laws of adsorption and ion exchange, respectively, to the ultrafiltration process. The quantities of fixed metals amounting to about 2.5 mmol/g were found to be in the range of moderate adsorbents. A solution consisting of 3 solutes has been tested to get more detailed information on mixture behaviour as compared to single component systems. In the long run, the proposed method should provide an additional variant for the extraction and concentration of metal ions from diluted aqueous solutions.
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