Removal and confinement of Hg(II) by polyurethane foam functionalized with potassium O-ethyldithiocarbonate

Polyurethane foam functionalized with potassium O-ethyldithiocarbonate was evaluated as an extractant material for Hg(II). Several parameters such as pH, mass amount and extraction time were studied. Under the best conditions, a 86% of mercury extraction was achieved. Dubinin?Radushkevich isotherm model indicated that the nature of interaction between functionalized foam and Hg(II) is chemical. Regarding interferents, metallic ions Ag(I) and Sn(IV) have a significant influence on the Hg extraction percentage. In the case of silver, it had a synergistic effect increasing the percentage of mercury due to a metallophilic interaction. Also, once the mercury was extracted, its leaching from the functionalized polyurethane foam was evaluated by means of two sequential extraction procedures. In this way, the functionalized foam emerges as a good material for the removal and confinement of chemical species. Obtained results show that mercury extraction is successful even from complex solution and that mercury-foam material is stable under extreme chemical and temperature conditions.