Selective removal of some heavy metal ions from aqueous solution using treated polyethylene-g-styrene /maleic anhydride membranes

Radiation graft copolymerization of styrene/maleic anhydride (Sty/MAn) comonomer onto low density polyethylene (LDPE) membrane was investigated. The prepared grafted membranes were treated with different reagents containing various functional groups and studied as a matrix for the purpose of water purification from heavy metals. The metal ion uptake by the functional groups of membranes was determined by the use of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and atomic absorption (AA). The effect of pH of the metal feed solution and immersion period needed for maximum capacity was investigated. The selectivity of different prepared membranes towards some selected metal ions such as Fe, Cu, Pb. . . . etc. which commonly exist in waste water was determined. The affinity of the treated grafted films to recover Fe(III), Cu(II) or Pb(II) from their aqueous solutions containing other metal ions such as Cd(II), Ni(II) or Hg(II) was studied. Also the selectivity of treated grafted membranes towards Cu(II), Cr(III) and Fe(III) in a mixture was investigated at room temperature and 70 degrees C. It was found that the thiosemicarbazide-, hydroxylamine . HCl- and NaOH-treated grafted films showed high selectivity towards Cu(II), Cr(III) and Fe(III), respectively, at 70 degrees C. However, the selectivity of such treated grafted membranes was remarkable towards Fe(III) at room temperature. The results obtained suggested that the treated grafted membrane possessed good chelating properties towards different metal ions. This suggests that such membranes could be accepted for practical uses. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.