Sequestration of heavy metals from water with layered metal sulfides.

Extraordinarily effective heavy metal ion scavenger: We show here that the material K(2x)Mn(x)Sn(3-x)S(6) (x = 0.5-0.95) (KMS-1) overcomes the limitations of the known heavy metal ion sorbents, showing the capability to rapidly reduce the concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Pb ions well-below the legally acceptable levels for drinking water. KMS-1 is inexpensive, easily prepared in large quantities, and may play a role in addressing the global problem of water contamination with heavy metal ions. The paradigm of heavy metal ion absorption of KMS-1 is the ability to form very strong M-S bonds.