Thiol containing sulfonamide based polymeric sorbent for mercury extraction

A new polymeric resin with thiol pendant functions has been prepared for the extraction of mercuric ions. The thiol containing sulfonamide based resin with 3.5 mmol/g total nitrogen content is able to selectively sorb mercury from aqueous solutions. The mercury sorption capacity of the resin is around 1.70 mmol/g under non-buffered conditions. Experiments performed in identical conditions with several metal ions revealed that Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), and Fe (II) ions also were extractable in quantities (1.0-1.65 mmol/g). The sorbed mercury can be eluted by repeated treatment with 4M HNO3 without hydrolysis of the amide groups.