This work is focused on the removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution using polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF) techniques with water-soluble poly(N,Ndimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), PDMAEMA, used as sorbent. The polymer was prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization at different reaction times, characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H-NMR). The sorption of Cr(VI) was studied by PEUF as a function of pH, the polymer:Cr(VI) molar ratio, and the presence of interfering ions. The PEUF-enrichment mode was used to saturate the polymer and further determine the release of Cr(VI) and regeneration of the polymer using sorption-desorption process. The RAFT polymerization showed a yield in the range 46% to 79% (determined by 1 H-NMR) for polymers with molecular weight (M n) between 28 to 195 kg mol-1. The polydispersity estimated by SEC was between 1.1 and 1.8. The capacity of PDMAEMA as sorbent of Cr(VI), by the PEUF technique showed an efficient removal of Cr(VI) (100%, 25 mg L-1 in the feed) at pH 4 using polymer:Cr molar ratio of 40:1. The presence of interfering ions does not significantly decrease the retention capacity of PDMAEMA. Finally the results indicated that PDMAEMA can release Cr(VI) and be regenerated.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.