Kinetics of mercury ions removal from synthetic aqueous solutions using by novel magnetic p(GMA-MMA-EGDMA) beads

Poly(glycidylmethacrylate-methylmethacrylate), p(GMA-MMA-EGDMA), magnetic beads were prepared via suspension polymerization in the presence of ferric ions. The epoxy groups of the beads were converted into amino groups via ring opening reaction of the ammonia and, the aminated magnetic beads were used for the removal of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solution in a batch experiment and in a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed reactor (MFB). The magnetic p(GMA-MMA-EGDMA) beads were characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fr-IR and ESR spectrophotometers. The optimum removal of Hg(II) ions was observed at pH 5.5. The maximum adsorption capacity of Hg(II) ions by using the magnetic beads was 124.8 +/- 2.1 mg g(-1) beads. In the continuous MFB reactor, Hg(II) ions adsorption capacity of the magnetic beads decreased with an increase in the flow-rate. The maximum adsorption capacity of the magnetic beads in the MFB reactor was 139.4 +/- 1.4 mg g(-1). The results indicate that the magnetic beads are promising for use in MFB for removal of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solution and/or waste water treatment. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.