Abstract
In this paper, a novel stable nano-micelle based on a rosin derivative was prepared via the conjugation of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) with maleopimaric acid anhydride (MPA). The TEPA-MPA micelle depicts potent absorption and sinking abilities for metal ions. Its structure was characterized by FT-IR. The size of micelle measured by dynamic lighter scattering (DLS) was 96.5 nm, and its morphology observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is approximately regular spherical. Besides, the low critical micelle concentration (CMC) value of micelles (6.575 × 10−4 mg mL−1) determined by fluorometric measurement indicates that the micelle has great self-assembly capability and excellent stability in aqueous solution. The adsorption mechanisms of Cu(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Cr(III) by TEPA-MPA were investigated by FT-IR and XPS, which suggests that both the carboxyl and amino groups are involved in metal adsorption, and that Cr(III) is the most firmly chelated ion by TEPA-MPA. Moreover, the effects of initial concentration and pH value of metal ions solution on adsorption were investigated to ascertain the adsorbing capacity. The results indicate that the adsorption of metal ions by TEPA-MPA is not pH dependent, and TEPA-MPA has a higher affinity for Ni(II) than that for Cu(II) and Cd(II). The absorption experiment data reveal that TEPA-MPA has outstanding metal absorption capacities (293.74–1655.08 mg g−1, metal ions/TEPA-MPA).
