Complex formation and adsorption of V3+, Cr3+ and Fe3+ ions with poly(N-vinylimidazole)

The complex formation of soluble poly (N-vinylimidazole) (PVIm) with trivalent metal ions in aqueous solution was studied by using UV–vis spectroscopy. Formation constants of PVIm–metal complexes were calculated by applying the “molar ratio” method. It was found that the interaction between PVIm and trivalent metal ions follows 4(base unit):1(metal ion) stoichiometry. The stability constants for the complexes of PVIm with trivalent transition-metal ions were in agreement with the Irving– William series. The biggest formation constant was found for the PVIm–Fe³⁺ complex system. The capacity of adsorption for these metal ions was investigated using cross-linked PVIm. Cross-linked PVIm hydrogels were prepared by irradiating binary mixture of N-vinylimidazole–water with a ⁶⁰Co γ-ray source having a dose rate of 4.5 kGy/h. Adsorption studies were performed at different pH and metal ion concentrations at room temperature. It was observed that the same sequence for the metal ions was verified by adsorption studies. Received: 28 May 2001 Accepted: 29 July