Mechanistic studies of metal ion binding to water-soluble polymers using potentiometry

A method for elucidating metal ion binding mechanisms with water-soluble polymers has been developed in which the polymer is treated as a collection of monomeric units. Data obtained from potentiometric titrations are analysed by the ESTA library of programs and apparent formation constants may be calculated. From this information, predictions may be made as to metal ion separation using complexation-ultrafiltration techniques. The polymer used in this study was Polymin Water-Free and its complexation with Hg(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) was successfully modelled.