Studies on Low-Cost Ion-Exchangers

Abstract

Phenol – formaldehyde resin (PFR) was prepared and blended with sulphonated charcoals (SCs) prepared from Arappu Thool Carbon. Composite ion exchange resins (IERs) were prepared by varying the amount of SCs (10-50%w/w) in the blends. All the important physico - chemical properties and FT-IR spectral analysis have been done. Composites up to 20% (w/w) blending retain almost all the essential characteristics and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of the original PFR. It is concluded that blending of PFR by SCs will reduce the cost of IERs.