US 12,441,834 B2
Thioanion-functionalized polypyrroles for metal ion capture
Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, Wilmette, IL (US); and Shulan Ma, Beijing (CN)
Assigned to Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
Filed by Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/738,620.
Application 18/738,620 is a division of application No. 16/771,365, abandoned, previously published as PCT/US2018/065614, filed on Dec. 14, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/599,316, filed on Dec. 15, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0400754 A1, Dec. 5, 2024
Int. Cl. C08G 61/12 (2006.01); B01J 20/26 (2006.01); C02F 1/28 (2023.01); C02F 101/20 (2006.01)
CPC C08G 61/124 (2013.01) [B01J 20/262 (2013.01); C02F 1/28 (2013.01); C02F 2101/20 (2013.01); C08G 2261/1644 (2013.01); C08G 2261/72 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of removing metal ions from a sample comprising at least two different transition metal ions, using a thioanion-functionalized polypyrrole comprising:
a conjugated, positively charged backbone of pyrrole units; and
charge-balancing thioanions associated with the conjugated, positively charged backbone of pyrrole units,
the method comprising:
exposing the thioanion-functionalized polypyrrole to the sample comprising the at least two different transition metal ions, wherein at least one of the at least two different transition metal ions is adsorbed by the thioanion-functionalized polypyrrole; and
removing the thioanion-functionalized polypyrrole and the absorbed transition metal ions from the sample.