In the present study, we employed macroporous polystyrene matrix binding different functional groups (i.e., chloro, sulfonate, and ammonium groups, as the host materials to fabricate nanosized zirconium phosphate (ZrP) hybrid adsorbents designated ZrP-Cl, ZrP-S, and ZrP-N respectively. Effect of the functional groups on ZrP particle size distribution was examined. The presence of the positively or negatively charged functional groups (sulfonate and ammonium) onto the polymeric support is more favorable than the neutral chloro group to improve the nano-ZrP dispersion (in other words, to achieve narrower ZrP size distribution), and consequently result in much higher capacity toward lead ion. As compared to ZrP-N, ZrP-S exhibits higher adsorption preference to lead ions at greater calcium levels due to the potential Donnan membrane effect. The results reported herein validate the important role of the surface functional groups in the capacity and preference of a given nanocomposite adsorbent.

Polymer-based zirconium phosphate nanoparticles for lead retention: Effect of polymeric functional groups

240th National Meeting (2010)

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