| Abstract: | The use of cationic, water-soluble, permethylated poly(ethyleneimine) (PMP) for the removal of phosphate ions was investigated using the Liquid-phase Polymer-based Retention (LPR) technique. The results showed that the retention values were dependent on the filtration factor (Z) and pH. In the presence of 10 mg/L phosphate and 1% PMP, 52% of the phosphate was retained at pH = 1.0 and 93% at pH = 8.5 for Z = 2. However only 11% of phosphate was retained at pH = 1.0 and 80% at pH = 8.5 for Z = 5. The maximum binding capacity of phosphate by 1% of PMP was 22 mg phosphate per gram of PMP at pH = 1.0 and 185 mg phosphate per gram of PMP at pH = 7.0. The influence of nitrate, chloride, and sulfate ions on the interaction of phosphate ions with PMP was also investigated. It was found that the interaction is strongly influenced by sulfate ions. In addition, viscosimetric measurements were performed and discussed. |
