POLYMER BEAD CONTAINING IMMOBILIZED METAL EXTRACTANT

摘要

Toxic metal contaminants dissolved in dilute aqueous solutions such as waste waters are removed by contact with water insoluble polymeric beads having an internal pore structure containing immobilized extractant material capable of sorbing the metal contaminants. The beads are prepared by forming a solution of a polymeric material in an organic solvent, blending the extractant into the solution and injection the solution through a nozzle into water to form beads. The polymeric material is preferably polysulfone or cellulose acetate, and the extractant may be yeast, algae, penicillium mold, xanthan gum, guar gum, alginate, common duckweed (Lemna sp.) or a chemical compound. A metal of value can be separated from the extractant by using dilute mineral acids or other dilute solutions to solubilize the metal.