Synthesis of magnetic dithiocarbamate chelating resin and its absorption behavior for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid copper

Abstract As an efficient metal-trapping agent, conventional dithiocarbamate is prone to poor flocculation, and difficult recovery, and it is challenging to reuse it in applications. In our study, to address these problems, a novel and efficient chelating agent was developed in the form of a magnetic dithiocarbamate chelating resin. This resin was used to adsorb EDTA-Cu from wastewater. Furthermore, the Cu absorption mechanism of the new resin was investigated. The magnetic dithiocarbamate chelating resin is a composite polymer material with dithiocarbamate functional groups and a good magnetic response. The resin showed a high Cu removal efficiency of 99.19%, and an improved sedimentation performance. Moreover, the resin can be effectively recycled, and it was reused twice after desorption with 4% thiourea, it retained an absorption rate of 89.95%. The adsorption mechanism was based on chemical adsorption. The sulfur atoms of the resin had coordinated with the Cu of EDTA-Cu and formed a stable coordination compound. This research of the resin not only enriches the metal-trapping agent, but also provides a new idea for treating low concentration complex metal pollutants.