Boron adsorption studies of poly(styrene-glycidyl methacrylate) latex: effect of modification agents

Poly(styrene-glycidyl methacrylate) (PSGMA) latex was synthesized by emulsion polymerization method. PSGMA latex was modified with N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG), 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane (BAPE), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (HEA), and N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine (NMEA). The presence of N amount varying between 2.1 and 4.4% in the results of elemental analysis showed that the modification was successful. Boron adsorption studies were carried out using these modified latexes. The study was carried out using the curcumin method by UV–vis spectrophotometry. For the most effective adsorption process, at pH value of 9, the boron concentration was 10 ppm and the contact time was 60 min. It was found that latex modified with NMDG had a higher adsorption capacity (0.195 mmol/g) than other modified latexes. Particle sizes were determined by dynamic light scattering spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The particle diameter of PSGMA latex was found to be approximately 140 nm in SEM analysis and the particles were almost monodisperse. After PSGMA latex was modified with NMDG, BAPE, HEA, and NMEA agents and boron adsorption was performed, it was observed that the particle diameters increased to approximately 170, 270, 220, and 260 nm, respectively. An elemental analyzer was used to determine the %N of the structures. The %B₂O₃ of the structures was determined with a thermogravimetric analyzer. While thermal analysis studies showed that organic components were completely removed from the structure at 700 °C, residues ranging from 4.8 to 10.4% (%B₂O₃) were found in boron adsorption polymers. The %B amounts were determined with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy device. It was observed that the amount of adsorbed boron varied between 0.42 and 0.95%, and the highest amount of %B belonged to latex modified with NMDG due to its very simple structure and the location of the –OH groups.

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