CHED 1106 |
| Polymer networks provide a novel method of sequestering heavy metal ions from aqueous systems. By varying the cross-linking agents and co-monomers used in hydrogel synthesis, the material's ability to uptake metal ions can be increased. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-vinylimidazole) hydrogels crosslinked with N,Nx-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAm) and/or N,Nx-cystaminebisacrylamide (CBAm) were synthesized and investigated as one means of removing the copper (II) ion from solution. In particular, the effect of increasing CBAm concentrations in the hydrogels was examined. Because of the copper (II) ion's high affinity for sulfur, it was believed that CBAm-containing gels would sequester larger amounts of copper than gels containing exclusively MBAm. Both MBAm (0.00–3.50%) and CBAm (0.00–6.00%) content in the gels was varied. Preliminary experiments reveal that CBAm-containing gels remove more of the copper (II) ion from a solution of copper chloride in water. However, no clear trend correlating CBAm content to copper (II) uptake was apparent. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |