Synthesis of water-soluble polymers containing sulfonic acid and amine moieties for the recovery of metal ions using ultrafiltration

Copolymers from 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonic acid (APSA) and N-ac ryloyl-N-methyl piperazine (AP) were synthesized by radical polymerization with ammonium peroxydisulfate as the initiator. The copolymerization yield ranged between 93 and 95%. The copolymers were completely water soluble, an d were characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The copolymer compositio n was determined fi om elemental analysis through the S/C ratio. The bindin g capacity for metal ion was studied by the LPR technique at different pH a nd filtration factors. The retention depended strongly on the pH and on the copolymer composition. With increasing pH and increasing content of APSA u nits in the copolymer, the metal ion retention increased. (C) 2001 John Wil ey & Sons, Inc.