Removal of Aromatic Amino-derivatives from Aqueous Solutions Using Polymeric Supports Functionalized with Aminophosphonated/aminoacid-phosphonated Groups

Aromatic amines are the significant compounds used as intermediates in the organic synthesis, for obtaining such as azo dyes, antioxidants, fuel additives, corrosion inhibitors, pesticides, antiseptic agents, poultry medicine, and pharmaceutical synthesis. However, the presence of aromatic amines in water, even at very low concentrations, is extremely harmful to aquatic life and human health. Pollution of natural waters by aromatic amines is a serious environmental concern. The aim of this work was to obtain new adsorbents for use in the removal of aromatic amines from aqueous solutions. Styrene-15%divinylbenzene copolymers grafted with aminophosphonate groups (code: AP-S15%DVB) and amino acid-phosphonate groups (code: AM-S15%DVB) were used for the removal of pollutants such as: aniline, 2-methyl-aniline and 4-methyl-aniline. The adsorption capacity and the adsorption kinetic using the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order equations were examined. From a kinetic point of view, it was established that the adsorption of the studied amino derivatives on the used adsorbents took place according to the pseudo-second order model. It was found that the adsorption rate constant increased with the increase of temperature, so the speed of the adsorption process increased. The obtained results confirm that the polymer adsorbents studied can be successfully used for the removal of aromatic amino derivatives from aqueous solutions for the purpose of wastewater treatment.