A Mini-Review on Anion Exchange and Chelating Polymers for Applications in Hydrometallurgy, Environmental Protection, and Biomedicine

Abstract

The rapidly increasing demand for technologies aiming to resolve challenges of separations and environmental protection causes a sharp increase in the demand for ion exchange (IX) and chelating polymers. These unique materials can offer target-selective adsorption properties vital for the removal or recovery of harmful and precious materials, where trace concentrations thereof make other techniques insufficient. Hence, recent achievements in syntheses of IX and chelating resins designed and developed in our research group are discussed within this mini-review. The aim of the present work is to reveal that, due to the diversified and unique physiochemical characteristics of the proposed materials, they are not limited to traditional separation techniques and could be used in multifunctional areas of applications, including catalysis, heat management, and biomedicine.

Keywords: cold atmospheric pressure plasma; polymeric nanocomposite; precious metals; resins.

Figure 1

Modification of (A) VBC-co-DVB copolymer, using (B) an amine (here example for 1,2-diamonoethane), followed by (C) an anion exchange (here example for Au(III) ions).

Figure 2

Structure of anion exchange resin obtained in MV heat and simplified mechanism of IX of Re(VII) ions. Figure reproduced from Reference [27], with permission of Elsevier.

Figure 3

Synthesis of core–shell-like resins form recovery of Au from WEEE. Figure reproduced from Reference [41], with permission of Elsevier.

Figure 4

Anion exchange resin (A) before and (B) after adsorption of Au(III). Figure reproduced from Reference [46], with the permission of Elsevier.

Figure 5

Mechanism of reduction-coupled adsorption of Au(III) on amino-functionalized anion exchange resins. Figure reproduced from Reference [47], with permission of Elsevier.

Figure 6

Procedure for preparation of polymeric nanocomposites with noble metals’ nanoparticles. Figure reproduced from Reference [46], with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 7

High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy photomicrographs of AuNPs synthesized and stabilized in anion exchange resins. Figure reproduced from Reference [49], with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 8

Developed CAPP-based system for continuous production of nanofluids—as an example AuNPs synthesis is shown. (1) High-Voltage inputs (+/−); (2) a flowing liquid solution, being a precursor to AuNPs; (3) tungsten electrode; (4) dc-APGD; (5) graphite electrode covering quartz capillary; and (6) sample reservoir.

Figure 9

Simplified synthetic route for obtaining hydrogel nanocomposite containing AuNPs. Figure reproduced from Reference [87], with the permission of MDPI, under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Figure 10

(A) VBTAC-co-MBA copolymer; (B,C) samples of NCs obtained without NaOH; (D) NC with AuNPs after applying NaOH on the VBTAC monomer. Figure reproduced from Reference [87], with the permission of MDPI Creative Commons Attribution License.