Polymer–metal complexes for environmental protection. Chemoremediation in the aqueous homogeneous phase*

The concept of chemoremediation in the liquid homogeneous phase using polymer reagents as a green technology is presented and outlined. It is based on the retention of polymer–metal complexes in aqueous solution according to their molecular size by using membrane filtration. The fundamentals of the metal ion interaction with respect to enrichment and separation procedures are discussed, and the role of polymer–metal complexes is assessed. The formation conditions of these polymer–metal complexes as well as major factors influencing the process are investigated. In addition, recent developments using this method are evaluated, and several application examples are highlighted.