Synthetic polymers and their blends for removing lead from aqueous solutions

Abstract

The article has investigated main commodity synthetic polymers (polyethylene terephthalate(PETP), polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) and their blends designed for adsorption of lead ions from wastewaters. Blends were prepared by extrusion from the melt at PS concentration from 5 to 20 fraction of total mass, %. The time of attaining equilibrium at adsorption of lead ions on the polymer surface has been found. The obtained data indicate that polymers in question were more efficient compared with others, which investigated for assessing their adsorption ability with respect to lead ions. Results of equilibrium isothermal adsorption of lead ions on the mixed PETP/PS system point out that at an increase of percent content of PS in the blend a substantial increase of adsorbed lead is achieved per unit weight of polymer adsorbent. This correlates with the type and dimensions of interface morphology of blends.