Synthesis and evaluation of polybenzimidazole based polymers for the removal of heavy metal ions from nuclear waste solution

Four types of poly benzimidazole based polymers (m-PBI, p-PBI, pyridine based-m-PBI and alkylated-m-PBI) have been synthesized and characterized. Extraction behaviour of heavy metal ions, viz, U(VI), Th(IV) and Pd(II) with these polymers were investigated. Distribution ratios for the extraction of these metal ions were measured as a function of nitric acid concentration, as a function of time. Extraction data reveal that in general p-PBI exhibits higher distribution ratios for U(VI), Th(IV) and Nd(III) as compared to other polymeric resins evaluated in the present study