CHAPTER 2 - High Capacity Removal of Mercury(II) Ions by Poly(Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an enabling technology that deals with nanometer-sized objects and is developed at several levels: materials, devices, and systems. The level of nanomaterials is most advanced at present, both in scientific knowledge and in commercial applications. Now, they have entered a commercial exploration period. Many published works have focused on the synthesis of micrometer-sized polymer matrices. Nanosized particles can produce larger specific surface area and therefore may result in high binding capacity for metal ions so that it may be useful to synthesize nanosized particles and use them for the removal of heavy metal ions. The chapter also discusses surface modification that can be accomplished by physical and chemical binding or surface coating of desired molecules, depending on the specific applications. Surface modification is an active research area in the fields of microelectronics, biotechnology, and material science. Surface modification of particles by organic compounds can be achieved via organic vapor condensation, polymer coating, surfactant binding, and direct silanization. The goal of this study is to report the synthesis of poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) nanoparticles carrying reactive imidazole containing 3-(2-imidazoline-1-yl) propyl (triethoxysilane) (IMEO) and their use in the adsorptive removal of mercury (II) ions from synthetic solutions by metal chelation.