Preparation and adsorption properties of poly(N-vinylformamide/acrylonitrile) chelating fiber for heavy metal ions

In this article we report a new chelating fiber that was prepared from a hydrolyzate of poly(N-vinylformamide/acrylonitrile) by a wet-spinning method. This fiber contains chelating groups, such as amidine groups, amino groups, cyano groups, and amide groups, with high densities. We examined the chelating abilities for several metal ions with this fiber, and present the morphological merit of the fibrous product compared with the globular resin. Based on the research results, it is shown that the fiber has higher binding capacities and better adsorption properties for heavy metal ions than the resin. The pH value of the metal ion solution shows strong influences on the adsorption of the metal ions. The maximum adsorption capacities of the fiber for Cu2+, Cr3+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Mn2+ are 112.23, 88.11, 141.04, 108.06, and 73.51 mg/g, respectively. In mixed metal ions solution, the fiber adsorbs Cr3+, Cu2+ and Co2+ efficiently. The adsorbed metal ions can be quantitatively eluted by hydrochloric acid. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.