Quantitative studies of silver ions removal from aqueous solutions by poly(1,8-diaminocarbazole) films by means of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance

Poly(1,8-diaminocarbazole) (PDACz) in the form of conducting film electrodeposited on Au electrode was used for extraction of Ag+ ions from acidic aqueous solution under open circuit conditions. Amount of metal withdrawn and capacity of the PDACz film for metal ion removal were determined by means of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) measurements. The mechanisms of Ag+ extraction and further recovery of metal from the polymer film in aqueous and acetonitrile solutions as well as possible limitations of the process are discussed regarding the differences in the redox transformations of the polymer in these two media. The conditions necessary for complete retrieval of extracted Ag are determined. The conclusions derived from EQCM measurements are verified by imaging of the polymer surface by scanning electron microscopy.