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.