Performance Improvements Through Structural Design and Comparisons with Polystyrene Resins of Silica Polyamine Composites

Abstract

Over the past ten years research at the University of Montana in collaboration with Purity Systems Inc, both located in Missoula, Montana, has resulted in a novel class of chelator materials composed of amorphous, nanoporous silica gels and modified polyamines. These materials offer some distinct advantages over conventional polystyrene based resins especially for applications in the mining industry. This paper will report on some recent advances in the technology, some direct comparisons with polystyrene resins and proof of concept studies on the development of anion capturing materials made by immobilizing highly charged metal ions on various silica-polyamine supports.