Synthesis of Water-soluble Polymers from Poly(methyl acrylate) and Amino Alcohols and their Removal Effect of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Water soluble polymers were prepared by the reaction of poly (methyl acrylate) (PMA) with amino alcohols such as 2-aminoethanol (AE), 3-amino-l-propanol or diethanolamine, and examined in the removal effect of heavy metals from waste water by a foam treatment method. AE showed the best result among the amino alcohols used.
More than 99.9% of zinc was removed by the polymer prepared by the reaction of PMA with AE (molar ratio 1:5) in dimethylformamide at 130° C for 10 hours. More than 99% of copper or 98% of cadmium was, also, removed by this polymer.