Comparative characteristics of polymethacrylic acid hydrogel sorption activity in relation to lanthanum ions in different intergel systems

Phenomena of remote interaction in intergel systems polymethacrylic acid hydrogel - poly-4-vinyl-pyridine hydrogel (hPMAA-hP4VP) and polymethacrylic acid hydrogel - poly-2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine hydrogel (hPMAA-hP2M5VP) have been studied. It was found that there is a decrease of specific electric conductivity, pH and swelling degree of PMAA, P4VP, P2M5VP hydrogels during lanthanum ions sorption by the intergel systems. Significant increase of sorption properties (up to 30 %) in intergel systems comparatively with individual hydrogels of PMAA, P4VP, P2M5VP points to the fact of high ionization during mutual activation of the polymers. Maximum sorption of lanthanum ions occurs at the ratios of 17%hPMAA:83%hP4VP and 50%hPMAA: 50%hP2M5VP. Data on obtained IR spectra evidence to the sorption of the rare-earth metal by these intergel systems. The obtained results show a significant importance of possible application of intregel systems based on rare-crosslinked polymer hydrogels of acid and basic nature for creation of new innovative sorption technologies in hydrometallurgy.