Preparation and characterization of poly(Bisphenol A-Phthalate) and its metal removal behavior toward Pb(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) ions

ABSTRACT

The polymer poly(BPA-phthalate) (BPA-PHTH) was synthesized from BPA and phthaloyl dichloride by using interfacial condensation polymerization. The prepared polymer was characterized using (FTIR,¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, DSC, TGA, SEM, and polymer solution viscosity. The characterization by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and FTIR proved the suggested structure. The DSC shows that the polymer is not linear, while the TGA shows that it is thermally stable up to 350°C. SEM showed solid surface filled with pores. The polymer uptake behavior towards Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) ions was studied by the batch equilibrium technique as a function of pH and contact time. The metal-ion uptake by the polymer reached at pH = 6 a maximum of 92.59, 65.79, and 72.46 for Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) ions, respectively. The metal ion uptake properties of the polymer show fitting for Langmuir, Freundlich, and (D-R) isotherm equations. The experimental data fit to both the Langmuir and the Freundlich models (R² > 0.99). Column experiments were used to determine the loading capacity and study the desorption of metal ions. The metal-bound polymer was regenerated by treatment with 0.1 M HNO₃ for Pb(II) and Cd(II), while 0.5 M EDTA for Cu(II). Therefore, it may be employed for the removal of heavy metal pollutants in environmental and industrial applications.

KEYWORDS:

• poly(BPA-PHTH)
• polyester
• condensation polymerization
• polymers uptake
• metal ion uptake
• adsorption
• desorption

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.