Modification of crosslinked glycidyl methacrylate-based polymers for boron-specific column extraction

Terpolymers of glycidyl methacrylate (0.4 mol) with methyl methacrylate (0.5 mol) and divinyl benzene (0.1 mol) in spherical beads form have been modified with N-methyl-D-glucamine in N-methyl pyrrolidone solvent. Polymers with (2.05 mmol g^-1) functionality have moderate swelling ability (1.81 v/v₀) and show excellent boron uptake ability (2.15 mmol g^-1) for extraction of trace quantities of H₃BO₃ from aqueous solutions. The resinous polymer with 110-210 μm size has a reasonable breakthrough capacity (0.835 mmol g^-1) and a sharp elution profile in the column extractions. No interferences come from Ca(II), Mg(II) and Fe(III) ions (0.1 M), though slightly in the presence of these ions due to coprecipitation of borates by the metal hydroxides formed on the resin particles. The capacity of the resin and flow rate do not change even after 20 recyclings in the column extractions. The method has been shown to be promising for large-scale boron extractions from aqueous solutions.