Thiacrown polymers for removal of mercury from waste streams
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsTheodore F. Baumann, John G. Reynolds, Glenn A. Fox
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Abstract
Thiacrown polymers immobilized to a polystyrene-divinylbenzene matrix react with Hg2+ under a variety of conditions to efficiently and selectively remove Hg2+ ions from acidic aqueous solutions, even in the presence of a variety of other metal ions. The mercury can be recovered and the polymer regenerated. This mercury removal method has utility in the treatment of industrial wastewater, where a selective and cost-effective removal process is required.
Claims10
A thiacrown polymer composition comprising:
- at least one thiacrown containing at least one pendant moiety incorporated into a carbon framework of said thiacrown;
- and
- at least one polymer attached to a nitrogen-containing portion of said pendant moiety.
The composition of claim 29 wherein said pendant moiety comprises an amino linking group.
The composition of claim 29 wherein said polymer comprises a polystyrene-divinylbenzene co-polymer matrix.
The composition of claim 29 wherein said thiacrown comprises a component containing both sulfur and oxygen atoms.
The composition of claim 29 wherein said thiacrown contains from 3 to 6 sulfur atoms.
The composition of claim 29 wherein said thiacrown contains 4 or 5 sulfur atoms.
The composition of claim 29 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polystryrene polymers, polyethylene polymers, methacrylate polymers, resins, or silica supports.
A thiacrown polymer composition comprising:
- at least one thiacrown containing at least one pendant moiety incorporated into a carbon framework of said thiacrown;
- and
- at least one polymer attached to said pendant moiety by amine linkage.
The composition of claim 36 wherein said polymer comprises polystyrene or divinylbenzene.
The composition of claim 36 wherein said thiacrown contains 4 or 5 sulfur atoms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.