MICRON-SIZED POLYMER PARTICLES FROM TANZANIAN CASHEW NUT SHELL LIQUID. PART II: AN ASSESSMENT OF CATION-EXCHANGE CAPABILITY OF THE CARBOXYLATED PARTICLES

Abstract

Micron sized polymeric particles were prepared from cashew nut shell liquid and subsequently functionalized to produce micron-sized carboxylated cation exchange resin (MCCER). By titrimetry and analytical procedures employing atomic absorption spectrometry, an assessment of the cation exchange capability of the carboxylated particles was made. The total cation exchange capacity of MCCER was found to be 5.4 ± 0.1 meq/g. The apparent acid strength exponent (pK) of the resin was estimated to be 5.6 ± 0.1 at 30 ^°C. The resin was found to be nonselective toward calcium, magnesium and sodium ions and the affinity of the resin toward competitive exchange of the ions followed the order: Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺. The results indicate that cation exchange capacity of MCCER is comparable to other commercially produced carboxylic cation exchange resins.


KEY WORDS: Carboxylated cation exchange resins, Cation exchange capacity, Cashew nut shell liquid


Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2005, 19(1), 9-15.