Synthesis and ion exchange properties of a new porous ion exchange resin having an open-celled monolith structure

Abstract

We successfully introduced ion exchange groups quantitatively into a porous resin having an open-celled monolith structure. The resulting new ion exchange resin had the following advantages compared with conventional ion exchange resins having a bead structure. First, it was easier to pack it in a column. Second, the ion exchange rate of the new ion exchange resin was much higher than that of the conventional ion exchange resins, and the ion exchange band length of the new resin was smaller than that of the conventional ones. Third, the electric conductivity was about five times higher than that of the conventional ones, although they had similar ion exchange capacities. These unique properties of the new ion exchange resin were attributable to the quantitative introduction of ion exchange groups into the resin having the open-celled monolith structure. In addition, many kinds of ion-excharge resin monoliths from soft ones to hard ones were able to be prepared by changing the ratio of DVB.