Adsorption of Heavy Metal Salts by Cotton Fabrics Containing Polyethylene and Polypropylene Sulfide

Abstract

The adsorption of mercury and other heavy metal salts by cotton fabrics containing polyethylene and polypropylene sulfide was investigated. Adsorption of mercuric chloride from aqueous solution was investigated in detail, and~H of the reaction was determined. A general screening of the capacity of adsorption of the polymers for heavy metal salts was carried out. Differences in behavior between the polymeric system and simple thioethers were observed. Auric, antimony, titanium, palladium, platinum and bismuth salts were adsorbed by the modified cotton; other salts, known also to complex with organic sulfides, were not adsorbed.