Amino Acid Modified Polymer Mesh for Removal of the Heavy Metal Ions Pb ²⁺ , Hg ²⁺ , Cu ²⁺ , and Ni ²⁺ From Aqueous Solutions

Adsorption is one of the most commonly used technologies for removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. A polymer‐based material is introduced, which consists of a commercially available polymer mesh, which was grafted and subsequently modified in a polymer‐analogous reaction to introduce amino acids as binding sites for metal ions. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) and polypropylene mesh serve as base materials. Adsorbents were prepared with 19 amino acids, and adsorption of Pb 2+ , Hg 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Ni 2+ was addressed. A distinct influence of the type of amino acid on the adsorption was identified. The ion content was reduced by up to 90 wt.%. The taurine‐modified material showed the highest affinity for all ions. A maximum adsorption capacity of 1.5 mmol Cu 2+ g −1 was found after 24 h.