PRECONCENTRATION OF COPPER-ION IN AQUEOUS-PHASE ON METHACRYLATE POLYMERS

Copper was preconcentrated from aqueous solutions by adsorption on pol ymethyl methacrylate, polymethacrylonitrile, and their copolymers prep ared by group transfer polymerization. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine the metal ion. The copper (II) ion was collected from aqueous solutions starting from pH 2. In both homopolymers and c opolymers, an increase of retention starting from pH 2 to 7 was observ ed. Below pH 2, no retention was observed. The retention of the ion fr om the aqueous phase on the polymers was above 90% at pH 7. (C) 1996 J ohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.