Selective metal sorption on cross-linked poly(vinylpyridine) resins

The sorption behaviour of several metal ions on five kinds of poly(4- or 2-vinylpyridine) resins, cross-linked with divinylbenzene, and with different surface properties, are examined. All the resins proposed sorb some metal ions effectively in a similar manner by anion-exchange, while the sorption of metal ions by complex formation with the pyridine moiety is strongly affected by the surface properties of the resins. A macroreticular poly(4-vinylpyridine) resin shows high affinity for copper and nickel ions in acetate buffer. Sodium chloride and/or methanol added to the working solutions influence the sorption capacities for metal ions. This resin was applied to the separation of copper/cobalt and nickel/cobalt and the concentration of copper from sea-water by a column operation.