Influence of the Structure of Sulfonic Polyelectrolyte Matrices on the Adsorption of Cu²⁺ Ions

Porous hydrophilic polyelectrolyte matrices have been obtained by reverse suspension copolymerization of p-styrenesulfonate with N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, as well as by cryotropic gelation of sulfonic acrylates (3-sulfopropyl methacrylate and sulfobetaine methacrylate). It has been shown that the concentration of sulfonate groups in the obtained polyelectrolytes is 2–3 mmol/g. The morphology and structure of the surface layer of the polyelectrolyte matrices have been studied by scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy, while the specific surface area and pore size distribution have been investigated by the BET method. Adsorption of Cu²⁺ ions has been studied spectrophotometrically. It has been found that polyelectrolyte matrices containing aromatic sulfonate groups have the maximum sorption capacity.