Sorption of mercury on chemically synthesized polyaniline

Sorption of inorganic mercury (Hg2+) and methyl mercury, on chemically synthesized polyaniline, in 0.1-10N HCl solutions has been studied. Hg2+ is strongly sorbed at low acidities and the extent of sorption decreases with increase in acidity. The sorption of methyl mercury is very low in the HCl concentration range studied. Sorption of Hg2+ on polyaniline in 0.1-10N LiCl and H2SO4 solutions has also been studied. The analysis of the data indicates that the sorption of Hg2+ depends on the degree of protonation of polyaniline and the nature of mercury(II) chloride complexes in solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS) of polyaniline sorbed with mercury show that mercury is bound as Hg2+. Sorbed mercury is quantitatively eluted from polyaniline with 0.5N HNO3. Polyaniline can be used for separation and pre-concentration of inorganic mercury from aqueous samples. (author)