Copolymer resin (8-HQ5-SAOF-III) synthesized by the condensation of 8-hydroxyquinoline5- sulphonic acid and oxamide with formaldehyde in the presence of acid catalyst, was proved to be selective chelation ion-exchange copolymer for certain metals. The chelating ion-exchange properties of this copolymer were studied for Fe (III), Cu (II), Ni (II), Co (II), Zn (II), Cd (II) and Pb (II) ions in the form of their metal nitrate solutions. A batch equilibrium method was employed in the study of the selectivity of metal ion uptake involved in the measurements of the distribution of a given metal ion between the copolymer sample and a solution containing the metal ion. The study was carried out over a wide pH range, shaking time and in media of various ionic strengths of different electrolytes. The copolymer showed a higher selectivity for Fe (III), Cu (II), and Ni (II) ions than for Co (II), Zn (II), Cd (II) and Pb (II) ions. Distribution ratios (D) of metal ions were found to be increased by increasing pH of the solutions; hence the resin can be used to recover certain metal ions from waste solutions and used for the purpose of purification of waste water and removal of iron from boiler water. The ion-exchange capacity of metal ions has also been determined experimentally and compare with other commercial resins. Besides ion exchange properties, the copolymer resin was also characterized by Viscometric measurements in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), Uv-visible absorption spectra in non-aqueous medium, infra-red (IR) spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The physicochemical and spectral methods used to elucidate the structure of 8-HQ5-SAOF –III resin. The morphology of the copolymer was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); showing amorphous nature of the resin therefore can be used as a selective ion-exchanger for certain metal ions.
