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.