Separation of Some Metal Ions Using β-Naphthol Modified Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane foam was chemically functionalized with β-naphthol to adsorb metal ions (Fe3+, Cu2+, Cr3+, Co2+ and Mn2+), applying the off-line solid phase extraction procedure. The concentrations of the metals have been detemined using the flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). Various factors including, the pH of the sample solution and the time of extraction were examined. The interference effects of the additional ions in the solution were studied, metal ions of Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ and anions, CO32- and SO42-. The new sorbent was examined for separation of Cu, Mn, Cr, Co and Fe ions. The adsorption of metal ions onto β-Nap-PUF was tested using the Morris-Weber equation. The straight line of the plot qt (adsorbed amounts at time t) vs t in all cases, with low R2 (0.767) in case of Mn, indicates the intra particle transport phenomena. The Lagergren equation was applied for mass action phenomenon. The plots of log(1-F) Vs t for Mn, Cr, and Cu were straight with high R2 0.99, 0.98, and 0.81 respectively, indicates that mass action phenomenon are controlling the mechanism following first order process. The capacity sequence of the sorbent was in the order Mn2+ > Co2+ > Cr3+ > Fe3+> Cu2+.