Selective retention properties to silver(I) and mercury(II) ions of poly(4-vinylpyridine) methyl iodide studied by the liquid-phase polymer-based retention technique

The retention of various metal ions by water-soluble poly(4-vinylpylidine) methyl iodide in conjunction with ultrafiltration membrane was investigated . The method is based on the retention of inorganic ions by this polymer in a membrane filtration cell and subsequent separation of low-molecular weig ht species from the polymer metal ion complex formed. It is shown that the polychelatogen can bind silver(I) and mercury(II) ions in aqueous solution at pH 1. At higher pH, the water-soluble polymer can be applied to the sepa ration and preconcentration of silver metal ions. Therefore, this polychela togen is highly selective to Hg(II) at pH 1 with respect to metal ions such as Cd(II) and Zn(II). (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.