Removal of heavy‐metal ions by magnetic beads containing triazole chelating groups

The aim of this study was to prepare magnetic beads that could be used for the removal of heavy‐metal ions from synthetic solutions. Magnetic poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate–1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole) [m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ)] beads were produced by suspension polymerization in the presence of a magnetite Fe3O4 nanopowder. The specific surface area of the m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads was 74.8 m2/g with a diameter range of 150–200 μm, and the swelling ratio was 84%. The average Fe3O4 content of the resulting m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads was 14.8%. The maximum binding capacities of the m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads from aquous solution were 284.3 mg/g for Hg2+, 193.8 mg/g for Pb2+, 151.5 mg/g for Cu2+, 128.1 mg/g for Cd2+, and 99.4 mg/g for Zn2+. The affinity order on a mass basis was Hg2+ > Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+> Zn2+. The binding capacities from synthetic waste water were 178.1 mg/g for Hg2+, 132.4 mg/g for Pb2+, 83.5 mg/g for Cu2+, 54.1 mg/g for Cd2+, and 32.4 mg/g for Zn2+. The magnetic beads could be regenerated (up to ca. 97%) by a treatment with 0.1M HNO3. These features make m‐poly(EGDMA–VTAZ) beads potential supports for heavy‐metal removal under a magnetic field.