Synthesis of a carbamide-based dithiocarbamate chelator for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions

This study was carried out to develop a carbamide-based dithiocarbamate (CDTC) chelator for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater. Its structural properties were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Results confirmed the functional groups of HNC(S)S existed. The adsorption isotherms showed CDTC had a high adsorption capability for Zn (119.8 mg/g) and Cu (63.1 mg/g). It exhibited a distinctive selectivity for the removal of metal ions (Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Cr3+ > Pb2+ > Cd2+) as they coexisted. The influence of initial pH of wastewater for the removal efficiency of metal ions was also investigated and a pH > 7 was preferred.