Synthesis and Evaluation of a Novel Hybrid Polymer Containing Manganese and Iron Oxides as a Sorbent for As(III) and As(V) Removal

A new hybrid material containing manganese and iron oxides, dispersed within the polymeric matrix, was synthesized as the sorbent for effective As(III) and As(V) removal. This material was obtained in a one-step process as a result of the oxidation reaction of Mn(II) and Fe(II) with oxidative functional groups of the host polymer. As the host polymer, the styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer containing N-bromosulfonamide groups (-SO2NBrNa) was used. The obtained product was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurement and scanning electron microscope (SEM) energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), as well as pH(zpc) and Mn content determination. The adsorption experiments showed that pH similar to 3.3-5.0 was optimal for subsequent removal of both As(III) and As(V), resulting in maximal sorption capacity of, respectively, 13.5 and 14.5 mg g(-1). The presence of phosphates in solution adversely influenced the arsenate removal and, to a less extent, the arsenite removal. The sulfate, chloride, and bicarbonate ions had no or a slight effect on arsenic adsorption.