Cooper Removal and Recovery from Aqueous Solutions by Using Selected Synthetic Ion Exchange Resins (Part I)

Abstract

The paper presents results of research on removal of Cu2+ ions from aqueous solutions by ion exchange method in concentration range
of 10–1000 mg/L. For this purpose, following Purolite synthetic ion exchange resins were used: S 910, S 930, S 940, S 950 and C 160.
The obtained results were interpreted based on the degree of solution purification and microstructural investigations. The regeneration
possibility of used ion exchangers with a 10% hydrochloric acid solution was also investigated.
Based on obtained results, it was determined that studied ion exchangers efficiently removed copper(II) ions from aqueous solutions,
especially in low concentrations. Microstructural investigation made for tested materials after the sorption process clearly indicate that
Cu2+ ions removal process was in accordance with ion exchange mechanism, which was confirmed by recorded SEM images.
All ion exchangers except S 910, purified solutions from Cu2+ ions with an efficiency greater than 90% up to a concentration of 100
mg/L. In case of S 930 and S 940 ion exchangers, their efficiency was close to 100%. For higher concentrations, efficiency of studied
ion exchangers decreased significantly. The lowest decrease in degree of copper(II) S 910 chelating resin with amidoxime groups was
the least efficient. All studied ion exchangers can be regenerated with a 10% hydrochloric acid solution. The efficiency of this process
varies from 53.1% to 80.5% depending on the used resins.