A copolymer of poly(BuMA-co-EDMA) modified with C-tetra(nonyl)calix[4]resorcinarene was obtained via the impregnation method. The formation of the modified copolymer was confirmed and investigated using various techniques; in this way, the presence of calix[4]resorcinarene was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The modified copolymer was used for the removal of highly toxic cations (Pb2+, Hg2+, and Cd2+) from aqueous solutions. To perform the removal, we used the batch sorption technique and the effects of time of contact, pH, and volume of sample on the effective sorption were determined. The best results were observed for Pb2+ extraction, which was comparatively more efficient. Adsorption-desorption experiments revealed that the modified copolymer could be used for several cycles without significant loss of adsorption capacity. Finally, the results showed that the modified copolymer application is highly efficient for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions.
Keywords: C-tetra(nonyl)calix[4]resorcinarene; impregnation method; poly(BuMA–co–EDMA); toxic metal ions; water contamination.