The binding constants for the complexed species formed in aqueous solution between galactomannan of Leucaena leucocephala and the metal ions Co2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ were determined by potentiometric titrations. The calculated values showed Ni2+ as the best Lewis acid towards the Lewis base -OH groups of the sugar monomers, with Zn2+ being the poorest. For all systems, a higher percentage of the complexed species was present near pH=7.0, although complexed species existed over a wide range of acidic and basic pH values. The isolated solid complexes were studied by TG-DSC thermal analysis and by EPR spectroscopy. The thermal profiles obtained showed higher thermal resistance to final degradation than the biopolymer alone for the complexed species ML having the smallest log K values. The EPR spectra confirmed the complexation of the metal ions via the Lewis base deprotonated hydroxyl groups (-O) and showed that the distances between metal ions in the complexed biopolymer structure depend on the nature of the metal ion. The ability of galactomannans to complex a variety of metal ions in their web like structure and the resistance to high temperatures and a wide range of pH values of these complexes open new perspectives in possible industrial uses whenever these properties are required, such as in bioremediation of waste waters and in the application of slow-release fertilizers.
potentiometric titrations; EPR spectroscopy; TG-DSC; metal complexes
