Preparation of a novel TETA functionalized magnetic PGMA nano-absorbent by ATRP method and used for highly effective adsorption of Hg(II)

•The TETA functionalized magnetic PGMA nano-absorbent was firstly synthesized.•The absorbent was prepared using the atom-transfer radical polymerization method.•The maximum adsorption capacity of resulted nano-absorbent was up to 543 mg/g.•The removal percentage of resulted nano-absorbent reached 99.7%.•The absorbent shows excellent selectively separate for Hg(II).

A novel triethylene teramine (TETA) functionalized magnetic poly (glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) nano-absorbent has been successfully synthesized by two steps, which magnetic PGMA nanoparticle was prepared by the ATRP method, and further modified with TETA functional group. The resulting nano-absorbent was characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), elemental analysis and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Demonstrated by batch tests, the nano-absorbent showed highly effective adsorption ability for Hg(II), the maximum adsorption capacity was up to 543 mg/g and the removal percentage reached 99.7%. Meanwhile, the resulting nano-absorbent also showed high selective adsorption for Hg(II) among coexisting heavy metals and the good regeneration performance.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide