Separation Of Cu (Ii) Ions By Hydroxamic Acid Functionalized Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Grafted Cellophane Membranes

Hydroxamic acid functionalized Poly (methyl methacrylate) grafted cellophane ions exchanger membranes have been used for Cu (II) ions separation from synthetic metal solutions. Factors affecting the adsorption process namely copper ions concentration, adsorption time, adsorption temperature, and grafting percentage have been studied. It was found that the Cu+2 uptakes increase by increasing the grafting percentage. The maximum uptake amount of Cu+2 ions obtained with membranes of grafting percentage 58%. However, the recovery of the adsorbed Cu+2 ions has not been affected by variation of the grafting percentage. Equilibrium has been obtained after 60 minutes of adsorption while the temperature was found of neglectable effect. Fourier transforms infrared analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis provided evidences of the adsorption processes. Moreover, the kinetics and isotherms of the adsorption process have been monitored. The membranes show a very good applicability and reusability where very slow reduction of the adsorption and regeneration processes has been detected after ten cycles.