Preconcentration and Determination of Trace Amounts of Heavy Metals in Water Samples Using Membrane Disk and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A fast and simple method for preconcentration of Ni^2＋, Cd^2＋, Pb^2＋, Zn^2＋, Cu^2＋ and Co^2＋ from natural water samples was developed. The metal ions were complexed with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate （Na-DDTC）, then adsorbed onto octadecyl silica membrane disk, recovered and determined by FAAS. Extraction efficiency, influence of sample volume and eluent flow rates, effects of pH, amount of Na-DDTC, nature and amount of eluent for elution of metal ions from membrane disk, break through volume and limit of detection have been evaluated. The effect of foreign ions on the percent recovery of heavy metal ions has also been studied. The limit of detection of the proposed method for Ni^2＋, Cd^2＋, Pb^2＋, Zn^2＋, Cu^2＋ and Co^2＋was found to be 2.03, 0.47, 3.13, 0.44, 1.24 and 2.05 ng·mL^-1, respectively. The proposed （DDTC） method has been successfully applied to the recovery and determination of heavy metal ions in different water samples.     

L‐lysine and EDTA polymer mimics as resins for the quantitative and reversible removal of heavy metal ion water pollutants

Traditional precipitation methods for inorganic micropollutant removal from waters are increasingly being replaced by sorption methods based on both natural and synthetic materials. In this context, two novel effective heavy metal ions absorbers are presented. These resins, LYMA and LMT85, were crosslinked poly(amidoamine)s carrying amine and carboxyl groups in their repeating units. In particular, the LYMA‐repeating unit contains one carboxyl and two amine groups and is a mimic of L ‐lysine, whereas LMT85 contains two amine and five carboxyl groups and is a mimic of EDTA. Both resins were prepared at moderate cost by simple eco‐friendly procedures. The heavy metal ion set adopted as benchmark was Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺. LYMA proved selective for Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺, the other ions tested being negligibly absorbed, whereas LMT85 proved capable of rapidly and quantitatively absorbing all the ions tested either singly or in mixed solution. The absorption process was reversible, and the resins were easily regenerated by acidification. The absorption of several metal ions imparted intense coloring to the resins, a feature possibly exploitable for analytical purposes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Selective Solid Phase Extraction and Pre-Concentration of Heavy Metals from Seawater by Physically and Chemically Immobilized 4-Amino-3-Hydroxy-2-(2-Chlorobenzene)-Azo-1-Naphthalene Sulfonic Acid Silica Gel

4-Amino-3-hydroxy-2-(2-chlorobenzene)-azo-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid (AHCANSA) was used as a chelating modifier to improve the reactivity of the silica gel surface in terms of selective binding and extraction of heavy metal ions. The surface coverage values were found to be 0.488 and 0.473mmolg^–1 for the newly modified physically adsorbed silica gel phase (I) and chemically immobilized-AHCANSA phase (II), respectively. The modified silica gel phases (I, II) were tested for stability in different acidic buffer solutions (pH 1–6) and found to be highly resistant to hydrolysis and leaching by buffer solutions above pH 2. The application of these two phases as solid extractors for a series of mono-, di-, and tri-valent metal ions from aqueous solutions was also performed with different controlling factors such as the pH value of metal ion solutions and equilibrium shaking time. The mmolg^–1 metal capacity values determined by silica gel phases (I, II) were found to confirm high affinity and selectivity characters for binding with heavy metal ions such as Cr³⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in a range of 0.250–0.483. The tested alkali and alkaline earth metals, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺, were found to exhibit little interaction and binding ability with the modified silica gel phases. The selectivity characters incorporated into the modified silica gel phases were further utilized and applied in solid phase extraction and pre-concentration of trace concentration levels (1.0µgmL^–1 and 2.00–2.50ngmL^–1) from real seawater samples. The percentage recovery values determined for Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ were found to be in the range of 95.2–98.1±2.0–5.0%, and the pre-concentration recovery values for the same tested heavy metal ions were found to be in the range of 92.5–97.1±3.0–6.0% for the two newly modified silica gel phases with a pre-concentration factor of 500.Received December 20, 2002; accepted May 14, 2003 published online September 1, 2003     

Synthesis, coordination properties, and analytical applications of mixed donor macrocycles containing the 1,10-phenanthroline sub-unit

The coordination properties towards different metal ions of a new class of mixed N/S-, and N/S/O-donor macrocycles containing the 1,10-phenanthroline sub-unit in the cyclic framework are reviewed. The conformational constraints imposed by the heteroaromatic fragment onto the aliphatic portion of the ring determine the coordination mode of these ligands which can stabilise low-valent Ni⁺, Pd⁺, Pt⁺, and Rh⁺ metal complexes. Structural and thermodynamic aspects of the coordination chemistry of these ligands are considered together with possible applications as building blocks in the synthesis of multi-centred systems, and as template in the construction of extended polyiodide networks. However, solution studies demonstrate the inability of these ligands to work as selective and specific fluorescent chemosensors for heavy transition and post-transition metal ions and the formation constants evaluated for the formation of 1:1 complexes with Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ag⁺ in acetonitrile are of the same order of magnitude. Nevertheless, some of these macrocyles are extremely effective to recognise Cu²⁺ or Ag⁺ over the other metal ions in transport processes, and have been successfully used as neutral ionophore in the construction of PVC-based ionselective electrodes and supported liquid membranes for analytical detection and separation, respectively, of these metal ions.     

Amphiphilic Schiff Base Organogels: Metal‐Ion‐Mediated Chiral Twists and Chiral Recognition

New amphiphilic gelators that contained both Schiff base and L ‐glutamide moieties, abbreviated as o‐SLG and p‐SLG, were synthesized and their self‐assembly in various organic solvents in the absence and presence of metal ions was investigated. Gelation test revealed that o‐SLG formed a thermotropic gel in many organic solvents, whilst p‐SLG did not. When metal ions, such as Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, were added, different behaviors were observed. The addition of Cu²⁺ induced p‐SLG to from an organogel. In the case of o‐SLG, the addition of Cu²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions maintained the gelating ability of the compound, whilst Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions destroyed the gel. In addition, the introduction of Cu²⁺ ions caused the nanofiber gel to perform a chiral twist, whilst the Mg²⁺ ions enhanced the fluorescence of the gel. More interestingly, the Mg²⁺‐ion‐mediated organogel showed differences in the fluorescence quenching by D ‐ and L ‐tartaric acid, thus showing a chiral recognition ability.     

Heavy metal adsorptivity of calcium-alginate-modified diethylenetriamine-silica gel and its application to a flow analytical system using flame atomic absorption spectrometry

This study aimed to evaluate the heavy metal adsorptivity of calcium-alginate-modified diethylenetriamine-silica gel (CaAD) and incorporate this biosorbent into a flow analytical system for heavy metal ions using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The biosorbent was synthesized by electrostatically coating calcium alginate onto diethylenetriamine (dien)-silica gel. Copper ion adsorption tests by a batch method showed that CaAD exhibited a higher adsorption rate compared with other biosorbents despite its low maximum adsorption capacity. Next, CaAD was packed into a 1 mL microcolumn, which was connected to a flow analytical system equipped with an FAAS instrument. The flow system quantitatively adsorbed heavy metals and enriched their concentrations. This quantitative adsorption was achieved for pH 3–4 solutions containing 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M of heavy metal ions at a flow rate of 5.0 mL min⁻¹. Furthermore, the metal ions were successfully desorbed from CaAD at low nitric acid concentrations (0.05–0.15 M) than from the polyaminecarboxylic acid chelating resin (Chelex 100). Therefore, CaAD may be considered as a biosorbent that quickly adsorbs and easily desorbs analyte metal ions. In addition, the flow system enhanced the concentrations of heavy metals such as Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺ by 50-fold. This new enrichment system successfully performed the separation and determination of Cu²⁺ (5.0 × 10⁻⁸ M) and Zn²⁺ (5.7 × 10⁻⁸ M) in a river water sample and Pb²⁺ (3.8 × 10⁻⁹ M) in a ground water sample.     

Removal of Cd(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) by adsorption onto natural clay: a kinetic and thermodynamic study

In this work, we study the elimination of three bivalent metal ions (Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Pb²⁺) by adsorption onto natural illitic clay (AM) collected from Marrakech region in Morocco. The characterization of the adsorbent was carried out by X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The influence of physicochemical parameters on the clay adsorption capacity for ions Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Pb²⁺, namely the adsorbent dose, the contact time, the initial pH imposed on the aqueous solution, the initial concentration of the metal solution and the temperature, was studied. The adsorption process is evaluated by different kinetic models such as the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and Elovich. The adsorption mechanism was determined by the use of adsorption isotherms such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models. Experiments have shown that heavy metals adsorption kinetics onto clay follows the same order, the pseudo-second order. The isotherms of adsorption of metal cations by AM clay are satisfactorily described by the Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacities obtained from the natural clay, using the Langmuir isotherm model equation, are 5.25, 13.41, and 15.90 mg/g, respectively for Cd(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) ions. Adsorption of heavy metals on clay is a spontaneous and endothermic process characterized by a disorder of the medium. The values of ΔH are greater than 40 kJ/mol, which means that the interactions between clay and heavy metals are chemical in nature.     

Selective colorimetric sensing of Cu using triazolyl monoazo derivative

Although the high sensitivity, high selectivity and fast response make emission (fluorescence) based technique as one of the most promising tool for developing the chemosensors for metal ions, the past few years have witnessed a demand for the absorption based chemosensors for paramagnetic heavy metal ions, especially Cu²⁺. Being paramagnetic, Cu²⁺ leads to the low signal outputs (“turn-off”) caused by decreased emission which may sometimes give false positive response, rendering the emission based technique less reliable for analytical purposes. Herein, we report synthesis and characterization of a hetarylazo derivative, characterized by a strong charge-transfer band which gets attenuated convincingly in the presence of Cu²⁺ leading to distinct naked-eye color change (yellow to purple), and to a lesser extent in the presence of Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ for which the naked eye sensitivity was comparatively (w.r.t. Cu²⁺) much less. No response was observed for the other metal ions including Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and lanthanides Ce³⁺, La³⁺, Pr³⁺, Eu³⁺, Nd³⁺, Lu³⁺, Yb³⁺, Tb³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺. The proposed sensing mechanism has been ascribed to the stabilization of LUMO after complexation with Cu²⁺ and a 1:1 stoichiometry has been deduced.     

Synthesis of highly ordered cubic zeolite A and its ion-exchange behavior

Well-ordered cubic zeolites 4A were synthesised using sol–gel process in the presence of different silica and aluminum sources. The aluminum and silica sources determined whether or not zeolites were formed at precise silica/alumina mole ratio. Zeolites were formed only when the aluminum source was sodium aluminate, the silica source was fumed silica, colloidal silica or sodium metasilicate. Our findings indicated that the type of zeolite invariably obtained was 4A and SEM images indicated that the produced zeolites are cubic shaped crystals with planar surfaces and well-defined edges and sharp crystals. In turn, synthesis parameters are seen to have a significant effect in maximizing heavy metals uptake (for example Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺) by synthesized zeolites. Zeolite 4A gave better heavy metal uptakes than amorphous or non-zeolite crystalline materials. This was attributed to higher ion-exchange capacity and higher BET specific surface area 445 m²/g and pore volume 0.141 cm³/g. The latter attribute possibly translates to greater accessibility of ion-exchange sites and selectivity towards metal type by this zeolite followed the sequence: Cu²⁺ > Cr³⁺ ≥ Cd²⁺ > Ni²⁺.     

Binding heavy metal ions with polymerized onion skin

Red onion skin is highly effective for binding heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Color leaching can be prevented and the physical characteristics of the substrate can be improved by treatment with formaldehyde in an acidic medium. Batch and column experiments have been conducted with Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺. Almost quantitative removal of the metal ions from solution can be achieved by using columns of the treated onion skin. Competition of the various metal ions for the substrate has been investigated. The capacity of the substrate in the majority of the metal ions studied is well above 1 meq/g. The use of polymerized onion skin to remove heavy metal ions from domestic and industrial wastewater to safe levels has been recommended as a cheap and effective alternative for commercial ion-exchange resins.     

Preparation of silica-supported porous sorbent for heavy metal ions removal in wastewater treatment by organic-inorganic hybridization combined with sucrose and polyethylene glycol imprinting

A new porous sorbent for wastewater treatment of metal ions was synthesized by covalent grafting of molecularly imprinted organic-inorganic hybrid on silica gel. With sucrose and polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) being synergic imprinting molecules, covalent surface coating on silica gel was achieved by using polysaccharide-incorporated sol-gel process starting from the functional biopolymer, chitosan and an inorganic epoxy-precursor, gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysiloxane (GPTMS) at room temperature. The prepared porous sorbent was characterized by using simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimeter (TG/DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption porosimetry measurement and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Copper ion, Cu²⁺, was chosen as the model metal ion to evaluate the effectiveness of the new biosorbent in wastewater treatment. The influence of epoxy-siloxane dose, buffer pH and co-existed ions on Cu²⁺ adsorption was assessed through batch experiments. The imprinted composite sorbent offered a fast kinetics for the adsorption of Cu²⁺. The uptake capacity of the sorbent imprinted by two pore-building components was higher than those imprinted with only a single component. The dynamic adsorption in column underwent a good elimination of Cu²⁺ in treating electric plating wastewater. The prepared composite sorbent exhibited high reusability. Easy preparation of the described porous composite sorbent, absence of organic solvents, cost-effectiveness and high stability make this approach attractive in biosorption.     

Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials with the Ability to Bind Metal Ions: Calorimetric Properties and Thermostability

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials with excellent heavy metal ions chelating properties were synthesized by covalent bonding of multifunctional polymers of polyamidoamine (PAA) type onto silica. Two series of polyamidoamine-silica hybrid materials differing in the PAA chemical structure were prepared and their thermal properties were investigated. Differential Scanning Calorimetry was used to study the effects of chain immobilization and ion chelation on the glass-transition temperature (Tg) of the polymers. The Tg of PAA-hybrid materials was elevated with respect to ungrafted PAAs. Complex formation with metal ions such as Cu⁺⁺ or Co⁺⁺ caused total suppression of Tg for both linear polymers as well as the corresponding hybrid materials. Finally, the silica particles slightly influenced the decomposition temperatures of linear polymers increasing their thermal stability.     

SYNTHESIS OF MACROPOROUS HUMIC ACID RESINS AND THEIR CHELATING PROPERTIES FOR HEAVY METAL IONS

Macroporous HA resins (HAR) can be prepared in pearl form by grafting HA onto crosslinked PS through azo or through ester and / or ether linkages. At pH 13 and the HA / PSNH_2 weight ratio 0.7—1.0, PSN_2~+-Cl~-couples with HA and results in the formation of a7o-type HA resin (HAR-A), which shows good adsorbility towards heavy metal ions. The Cu~(2+) sorption capacity of ester / ether type humic acid resin (HAR-E) is increased by lengthening the reaction time of HA and PSCH_2Cl. The structure of HAR is discussed on the basis of the IR spectra. The sorption capacity of HAR-A is 1.01 mmol / g for Cd~(2+) and 0.6—0.53 mmol/g for Ni~(2+), Mn~(2+), Cu~(2+), Co~(3+) and Zn~(2+). respectively. The calculated distribution coefficients of heavy metal ions on HAR-A can be arranged in the following order: Cu~(2+)(8.7×10~3)>Cd~(2+) (3.8×10~2)>Zn~(2+)(2.4×10~2)>Ni~(2+)(1.8×10~2)>Mn~(2+)(4.9×10). At pH 6.5, Cu~(2+), Cd~(2+), Ni~(2+), Mn~(2+) can be quantitatively adsorbed by HAR-A and completely eluted with 1N HNO_3. HAR-A can be regenerated and reused. Trace quantities of the above-mentioned heavy metal ions in four samples of the natural occurring water and one sample of the tap water were analyzed by using HAR-A.     

Silica-graft-polyamidoamine Hybrid Materials: Effect of Constraints on the Polymer Mobility

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials with excellent heavy metal ions chelating properties are synthesized by covalent bonding of multifunctional polymers of polyamidoamine (PAA) type onto silica. Two series of polyamidoamine-silica hybrid materials differing in the PAA chemical structure are prepared and their thermal properties are investigated. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is used to study the effects of chain immobilization and ion chelation on the glass-transition temperature (T_g) of the polymers. The T_g of PAA-hybrid materials is elevated with respect to ungrafted PAAs, but when the linear and the corresponding hybrid PAAs are in the complex form with metal ions such as Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺, the materials arrive to the decomposition temperature and no T_g is detected. To highlight the effect of metal ion on the molecular mobility of these systems, an oligomeric plasticizer is added. The behaviour in the T_g region is analyzed and discussed in term of Tool-Narayanaswamy-Moynihan (TNM) model. In particular the apparent activation energy (Δh*) is used to discuss overall segmental co-operativity in order to better understand the effect of complex formation on structural mobility.     

Highly selective in situ metal ion determination by hybrid electrochemical "adsorption-desorption" and colorimetric methods

A novel and facile hybrid analytical method coupling electrochemical “adsorption–desorption” and colorimetric analyses was developed to detect heavy metal ions in turbid water samples. The target metal ions were deposited onto an electrode inserted into the original sample, which was referred to as the “adsorption” process. After changing the medium, the concentrated target metal ions were dissolved in a new, clean buffer (blank buffer), which was referred to as the “desorption” process. The concentrations of the target metal ions were measured by colorimetric analyses after the addition of specific indicator amounts. We demonstrated the applicability of this method by detecting Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ with co-depositing Bi³⁺ on portable screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). A good correlation (correlation coefficient of R = 0.997) was observed between concentrations ranging from 1 to 200 μM and absorbance values. After the multiple “desorption” process, the even better detection limits as low as 10, 10 and 100 nM were achieved for Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺, respectively. The practicality of this hybrid method was confirmed by the detection of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in wastewater samples, and these results were in agreement with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Overall, this hybrid method provides a simple, selective and effective technique for environmental pollutant analyses.     

Chemosensing hybrid materials: Chalcones‐functionalized cage‐like mesoporous SBA‐16 material for highly selective detection of toxic metal ions

Highly selective and low‐cost optical nanosensors of organic–inorganic hybrid materials for heavy metal ions detection have been prepared via the functionalization of mesoporous silica (SBA‐16) with chalcone fluorescent chromophores. The successful attachment of organic chalcone moieties and preservation of original structure of SBA‐16 after the anchoring process were confirmed by extensive characterizations using various techniques like Fourier transform infrared and UV–visible spectroscopies, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, low‐angle X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The colorimetric behaviour, selectivity and sensitivity were also investigated. The optical nanosensors respond selectively to heavy metal ions, such as Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Hg²⁺, with observable colour changes in 0.01 M Tris–HCl aqueous buffer solution. Also, the optical sensing ability of the investigated nanosensors to the mentioned metal ions was investigated using steady‐state absorption and emission techniques. Significant increase in the absorption spectra and a static quenching in the emission spectra are observed upon adding various concentrations of the studied metal ions. The spectral changes as well as the observable colour changes suggest that the investigated nanosensors are suitable for simple, economic, online analysis and remote design of these toxic metal ions with fast kinetic responses. Finally, the low detection limits for all the studied metals are in good agreement with those recommended by both the US Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization, except for Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺, indicating that the investigated nanosensors have hypersensitivity, selectivity and better recognition for all the studied metal ions.     

Interaction of lignosulfonate with certain metal ions

The reaction of lignosulfonate with the Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions has been studied by the methods of gel chromatography, potentiometric titration, and UV spectroscopy. Lignosulfonate forms polymer-metal complexes with the metal ions over a wide pH range. In this process the size of the macromolecule scarcely changes, thanks to the reticular structure of the lignosulfonate. The capacity of lignin with respect to Cu²⁺ ions has been determined.     

Synthesis of silica gel-bound acridino-18-crown-6 ether and preliminary studies on its metal ion selectivity

Starting from commercially available and relatively cheap chemicals a novel silica gel-bound acridino-18-crown-6 ether was prepared. Selectivity of the latter stationary phase toward different metal ions was studied. The stationary phase showed appreciable selectivity for Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions.     

Cellulose/chitosan composites prepared in ethylene diamine/potassium thiocyanate for adsorption of heavy metal ions

Cellulose/chitosan composites were successfully prepared in a new and basic-based solvent system, ethylene diamine/potassium thiocyanate (EDA/KSCN), by dissolving cellulose and chitosan in 70/30 (w/w) EDA/KSCN at ?19 °C, and then coagulating in methanol. Wide angle X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the EDA/KSCN solvent system is capable of disrupting the hydrogen bonds in both cellulose and chitosan and increase the amorphous regions. Stability tests proved that the composites are stable in acidic aqueous solution due to the hydrogen bonds formed between cellulose and chitosan. This is the first time to dissolve chitosan in a basic-based solvent system and prepare cellulose/chitosan composites in a straightforward way. The adsorption of heavy metal ions (Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺) onto the cellulose/chitosan composites was investigated. The adsorption capacity is highly dependent on pH and the maximum metal uptake was obtained at pH 5.0. Increasing initial metal concentration enhanced the diffusion of metal ions to the composite surface and therefore the metal removal efficiency. Higher percentage of chitosan in the composites also led to higher metal adsorption. The results indicated that the prepared cellulose/chitosan (1:1) composite can adsorb 0.53 mmol/g Cu²⁺, 0.28 mmol/g Cd²⁺ and 0.16 mmol/g Pb²⁺ ions at pH 5.0. The Freundlich model and the pseudo-second-order model were in good agreement with the adsorption isotherms and kinetics, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies indicated that the binding of heavy metal ions is attributed to the nitrogen atoms of amino groups in chitosan. The composites can be reused for metal removal.     

Preparation of PSSS‐grafted polysulfone microfiltration membrane and its rejection and removal properties towards heavy metal ions

3‐Hydroxy‐N,N‐diethylaniline (HDEA) as a tertiary aromatic amine was introduced onto the surface of chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPSF) microfiltration membrane through modification reaction, resulting in the modified membrane PSF‐DEA. A redox surface‐initiating system (DEA/APS) was constituted by the bonded tertiary aromatic amine group DEA and ammonium persulfate (APS) in aqueous solution, and so, the free radicals formed on the membrane initiated sodium p‐styrenesulfonate (SSS) as an anionic monomer to produce graft polymerization, getting the grafting‐type composite microfiltration membrane, PSF‐g‐PSSS membrane. Subsequently, the adsorption property of PSF‐g‐PSSS membrane for three heavy metal ions, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions, was fully examined, and the rejection performance of PSF‐g‐PSSS membrane towards the three heavy metal ions was emphatically evaluated via permeation experiments. The experimental results show that by the initiating of the surface‐initiating system of DEA/APS, the graft polymerization can smoothly be carried out under mild conditions. PSF‐g‐PSSS membrane as a functional microfiltration membrane has strong adsorption ability for heavy metal ions by right of strong electrostatic interaction (or ion exchange action) between the anionic sulfonate ions on the membrane and heavy metal ions. The order of adsorption capacity is Pb²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Hg²⁺, and the adsorption capacity of Pb²⁺ ion gets up to 2.18 μmol/cm². As the volume of permeation solutions, in which the concentrations of the three metal ions are 0.2 mmol/L, are in a range of 50 to 70 mL, the rejection rate of PSF‐g‐PSSS membrane for the three heavy metal ions can reach a level of 95%, displaying a fine rejection and removing performance towards heavy metal ions.