Applications of hydrogels in the adsorption of metallic ions

Abstract

Industrial activities generate effluents that in many occasions are discarded to nature without adequate treatment so that, in case of having polluting species, they can reach natural bodies of water (such as lakes, rivers or seas), affecting the ecological balance. Among the polluting species, heavy metals are found, which are mostly highly toxic even at low concentrations because they can accumulate in living beings, causing various disorders and diseases. The hydrogels are crosslinked polymeric materials containing functional groups (carboxylic acids, amines, hydroxyls and sulfonic acids, etc.) can be used as complexing agents for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions, sometimes selectively and with the possibility of recovering them, presenting advantages over other techniques for eliminating them. The elimination of metals is a possible solution to the problem of pollution that affects water quality. In this review, different aspects on the application of hydrogels as adsorbent materials of metallic ions are treated