Preparation and characteristics of polymer-based large adsorbent particles

Abstract

Using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) crosslinked with glutaric dialdehyde (c-PVA) as matrix and activated carbon (AC) or crosslinked polyacrylic acid (PAA) as the adsorptive constituent, large beads of c-PVA-AC and c-PVA-PAA composites were prepared via the sedimentation polymerization method. In this method, an aqueous solution of PVA, glutaric dialdehyde, and a catalyst for crosslinking (hydrochloric acid), containing activated carbon or the precursors of the crosslinked polyacrylic acid was injected dropwise with a syringe into hot mineral oil (about 80–90°C) located in a cylindrical reactor fit with a stirrer near its bottom. Partial gelation took place during the sedimentation process. This ensured that the particles arrived at the bottom of the column, where they were kept about 30–60 min to complete their polymerization, maintained their individuality without aggregation. The particle size was as large as about 3 mm. The adsorption characteristics of the two types of adsorbents were dependent on their AC or PAA content. Their adsorption capacity for four dyes was investigated. The c-PVA-AC and c-PVA-PAA had, at room temperature, saturation adsorption capacities as large as 84 and 104 mg/g for the basic Chrysoidin dye, and 70 and 72 mg/g for the basic Bismarck brown Y dye. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.