Preparation and characterization of cation exchanger based on woody biomass modified by synthetic polymer

Abstract

A chemical modification of beech sawdust with diphenylphosphonate- formaldehyde resin was applied to prepare a woody biomass-synthetic polymer hybrid material able to resist a fuming sulfuric acid treatment. The amount of diphenylphosphonate -formaldehyde resin required to reinforce beech sawdust was more than about 14 wt% for a nominal concentration of materials. Thus, a cation exchanger based on about 75 wt% beech sawdust for a nominal concentration of materials was prepared. The ion-exchange capacity was 2.4 meq g-1-R (dry exchanger). The rate of adsorption was rapid, and the adsorption equilibrium was attained within about 5 min. Thus, the ion exchanger permitted a high flow rate due to the coarse shape. Because for density of the ion exchanger was 1.18 g mL-1, the ion exchanger resin did not float in the water, and was able to be applied to the column operation. By using hydrochloric acid or methanolhydrochloric acid, the ion exchanger could be utilized for the mutual separation of L+-K+, Mg 2+-Ca2+-Sr2+-Ba2+, and transition metal ions, such as Cd2+-Zn2+, Cd2+-Co 2+, and Cd2+-Ni2+. © 2007 The Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry.