Divinylbenzene-crosslinked polyacrylamide-supported dithiocarbamates as metal complexing agents

Abstract

Dithiocarbamate (DTC) functions were incorporated into divinylbenzene-crosslinked (2–20 mole %) polyacrylamides by a two-step polymer-analogous reaction. The complexations of these resins with DTC functions in different structural environments were investigated towards Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Hg(II) by batch equilibration technique. The metal ion intake decreased with the extent of the DVB content in the order Hg(II)≫ Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II) > Co(II). The time-course on complexation, swelling behaviours of the uncomplexed and complexed resins, recyclability, IR and thermogravimetric characterisation of the complexes were carried out. The swelling of the resins decreased on complexation with metal ions and the thermal stability increased.