Preparation, characterisation and sorptive properties of polymer based phosphorus-containing carbon

A novel phosphorus-containing carbonaceous sorbent has been prepared by pyr olysis of phosphorylated phenol-formaldehyde resin. The surface properties of the material have been characterised by nitrogen adsorption-desorption i sotherms and MAS NMR-P-31 spectrometry. The ion-exchange properties of the carbon were assessed by pH-titration and electrophoretic mobility measureme nts. Sorption studies were performed in batch and mini-column experiments a nd indicated high affinity towards lead(II) over copper(II), nickel(II) and cadmium(II) for solutions containing these metals (in the mg/l and mu g/l range) although the rate of sorption was relatively slow. The sorption affi nity series for metal ions studied coincides with the solubility products o f the corresponding metal phosphates and stability constants of pyrophospha te complexes in aqueous solutions. Elution using conventional mineral acids yields good heavy metal recovery and effective adsorbent regeneration. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.