Adsorption of surfactants onto acrylic ester resins with different pore size distribution

Abstract

In this study, a series of acrylic ester resins with different pore size distribution were prepared successfully by varying the type and the amount of pore-forming agents. In order to investigate the adsorption behavior and mechanism of surfactants on acrylic ester resins, three kinds of surfactants were utilized as adsorbates that were sodium 6-dodecyl benzenesulfonate (6-NaDBS), sodium 1-dodecyl benzene sulfonate (1-NaDBS) and sodium 1-dodecyl sulfonate, respectively. It was observed that the surface area was available in a particular pore size and an appropriate pore size of resins appeared to be more important for the adsorption of surfactants. As compared to commercial acrylic ester resins XAD-7 and HP2MG, 50# and 38# resins exhibited more excellent adsorption properties toward 1-NaDBS and 6-NaDBS. The experimental equilibrium data were fitted to the Langmuir, and double-Langmuir models. Two models provided very good fittings for all resins over the temperature range studied. The investigation indicated that electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bond between resins and surfactants were the main forces and had an obvious effect on adsorption process.