Synthesis of Acrylonitrile Based High Internal Phase Emulsion Monoliths and their Application in Recovery of Heavy Metal Ions

Polymeric monoliths based on acrylonitriledivinyl benzene were synthesized successfully by high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) polymerization. Highly porous polyHIPEs were prepared by variation in oil to water ratio as well as type and concentration of porogens. The porogens  evaluated were toluene, chlorobenzene, heptane and chloroform. The effect of oil to water ratio and porogen type and concentrations on morphology and surface area of polyHIPEs were investigated. The polyHIPEs were modified to amidoxime functionality by treating base catalyzed reaction with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in presence of base. The treated and modified polymeric monoliths were characterized by FTIR, SEM and surface area analysis. The modified porous polyHIPEs were tested for adsorption of Cr(VI) metal ions at various pH.