Nanocomposites and nanomaterials 

Adsorption capacity to toxic metals ions of
azocontaining polymers, in situ immobilized on the silica gel surface
Y. Polonska1,  E. Yanovska1, I. Savchenko1, L. Ol’khovik1, D. Sternik2, O. Kychkyruk3
1 National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, 60, Volodymyrska str., 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine E-mail: iras@univ.kiev.ua
2 Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, pl. Maria Curie-Skłodowskiej 3, 20‑031 Lublin, Poland
3 Ivan Franko Zhytomyr State University, 40 Velyka Berdychivska St., 10008 Zhytomyr, Ukraine

Azobenzene containing polymers have received increasing attention recently because of their unique properties that allow various applications in optical data storage, as luminophors, analitical reagents et al. The modification of the surface of porous inorganic materials by nitrogen-containing polymers allows to obtain sorbents for removing toxic metals from the waste water due to their complexation with nitrogen atoms of immobilized polymer [1]. 
The purpose of this work is to compare the sorption properties of ions Pb(ІІ), Cd(ІІ),  Mn(ІІ), cu(іі) and fe(ііі) of poly[4-methacroyloxy-(4’-carboxy-2’-nitro)-azobenzene], poly[4-methacroyloxy-(4’-carboxy-3’-сhloro)-azobenzene] and poly[4-methacroyloxy-(4’-carboxy)-azobenzene], іn situ immobilized on the silica gel surface. As a result of the computer data processing, the isoterms of adsorption /desorption of nitrogen by the BET method and the CEM-photo analysis revealed that all azo containing polymers on the silica gel surface are evenly distributed in the form of a thin film or fibers. That is, their complexing centers are sterically the most accessible for metal ions, which is the result of the chosen method of polymerization modification. As a result of detailed study of the sorption properties of synthesized materials was found that the best sorption properties on ions of toxic metals typical of silica gel in situ modified of poly[4-methacroyloxy-(4’-carboxy-2’-nitro)-azobenzene]. In particular, this composite showed the highest sorption capacity for ions Pb(ІІ), Cu(ІІ) and Fe(ІІІ). 

1. In-situ Synthesis of Polymer Nanocomposites. Edited by Vikas Mittal.2012. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co.