Solid phase extraction of Cu(II) as diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) complex by polyurethane foam

This paper presents a study about the sorption of copper-diethyldithiocarbamate complex onto polyurethane foam (PUF). It was observed that the maximum sorption of Cu(II) (80 or 150 mug L-1) was verified at pH 6.8 in presence of 4.5x10(-5) mol L-1 DDTC. The shaking time needed to achieve the equilibrium was 40 minutes. From these data, a kinetic characterization was performed by applying three models, which revealed that a film diffusion process was a rate-determining mechanism. Results also indicated that a ether-like solvent extraction was the sorption mechanism. The investigation of many metallic ions as concomitants showed that the sorption by foam is relatively selective and it can be enhanced by using a suitable masking agent or incrementing the foam mass.